"Some
time ago, a few ladies met to read the scriptures. While reading the
third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the
third verse.
'And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the
sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to
visit a silversmith and report to her friends what he said in the
subject.
She went accordingly and without telling the objective of her errand,
begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully
described to her.
'But sir', she said, 'do you sit while the work of refining is going
on?' 'Oh, yes, madam,' replied the silversmith, 'I must sit with my
eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for
refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be
injured.'
The lady, at once, saw the beauty and comfort, too, of the expression,
'He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' Christ sees it
needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily on the
work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the
best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random, 'the very
hairs of our head are all numbered.'
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and
said he had still further to mention, that he only knows when the
process of purifying is complete, by seeing his own image reflected in
the silver.
Beautiful example! When Christ shall see His own image in His
people, His work of purifying will be accomplished."
~author unknown~
"See that I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not
perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the
wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19
"Why are you so cast down, O my soul, Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my
God."
Psalm 42:11
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