Tried by fire

You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. – Psalm 66:10

"The main end of life is not to do but to become," F. B. Meyer said. And for this we are being prepared every day. As silver is refined by fire, the heart is often refined in the furnace of sadness. The Psalmist said in his sorrow, "We went through fire" (Psalm 66:12).

The refining process may be very painful, but it will not destroy us, for the Refiner sits by the furnace tending the flame. He will not allow us to be tried beyond our endurance; it is for our good.

We may not understand why we have to endure such misery year after year. The ordeal seems endless and pointless. Our days are wasted. or so it appears. We feel as if we are doing nothing of lasting significance.

But God is doing what matters – we are being refined. He is placing us into a crucible in which we acquire patience, meekness, humility, compassion, and the other "quiet" virtues our souls naturally lack.

So don’t be afraid and don’t fret. Your present trial, as painful as it may be, has been screened through God’s wisdom and love. The Refiner sits beside the crucible tempering the flame, monitoring the process, waiting patiently until His face is mirrored in the surface. – David Roper

"As thy day thy strength shall be!"

This should be enough for thee;

He who knows thy frame will spare

Burdens more than thou canst bear. – Havergal

READ: Psalm 66:1-12

The fires of testing can produce a shining testimony.

The Bible in one year:

• Micah 1-3

• Revelation 11