“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another” (Isaiah 48:10-11).
If you are not going through a hard
time now, you can be certain there is one coming your way. Life makes no
exceptions when it comes to trials. God’s purpose in these trials is not to
weary us, wear us out, or weaken us. His purpose is to help us grow spiritually
stronger. Even when he was suffering great persecution for preaching the
gospel, the apostle Paul came to realize this truth, “for
when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). All trials serve to bring God glory as we continue to trust in Him, lean
upon Him and know he is working for our good as in says in Romans 8:28. Meditate
on this word from a preacher long ago who suffered many health trials and
spiritual attacks. “The fire only refines; it does not
destroy. We are to be brought through the fire, not left in it. The Lord values
his people as silver, and therefore he is at pains to purge away their dross.
If we are wise, we will welcome the refining process rather than decline it.
Our prayer will be that our alloy may be taken from us rather than that we
should be withdrawn from the crucible. Oh Lord, you test us indeed…still this
is your way, and your way is best.” —Charles Spurgeon
Keep pressing on,
Pastor Tom
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