Brother in Christ

A group of people were studying the book of Malachi
in their Bible study. In their session on chapter
three, they were puzzled by verse three, which reads:
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
The group wondered what this statement could tell them
about the character and nature of God. One of them
offered to research the process of refining
silver and report back to the group at their next meeting.

During the week, one person called a silversmith
and made an appointment to watch him at work. He
didn’t mention his purpose, just her curiosity about
the process of refining silver. As he watched, the
silversmith held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.

The silversmith explained that in refining silver, one needed to
hold the silver in the middle of the flame since the
heat was the hottest, in order to burn away all the
impurities. The man thought about God holding us
while we’re in a hot spot . . . then he thought of
the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.

He asked the silversmith if he must sit there in
front of the fire the entire time the silver was being
refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had
to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep
his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the
flames. If the silver was left even a moment too long, it would be destroyed.

The man was silent for a moment. Then he asked the
silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully
refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s
the easy part – when I see my image reflected in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the flames, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep His hand on you and watch over you until He sees His image in you.

Sincerely,

Your Brother in Christ