Refiner and Purifier of Silver

[Patricia]

 
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement

meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the

group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at

work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity

about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He

explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire

where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot, then she thought again about

the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the

whole 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 fire. If the silver was left a

moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know

when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I

see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and

will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
 

[Consecrated one]

Thank you, very much!

[Brigid]

  I pray my refining is gentle (I hope I learn quickly!).

[Consecrated one]

I think my loss of Daily Mass is part of my refinement, I am being asked to stay close
and obedient to Our Lord without my beloved safety-net!  I have to go on where it
is hotter and trust and pray to reflect Our Lord's image.  This is a beautiful Subject
to contemplate.   Thank you again!

[Bailey2]

I don't think God has been too gentle with me but I am sure that's because I resist every step of the way.  As posted elsewhere I have lost my entire old way of life in one fell swoop in 2005.  Been a difficult journey but it seems I am in a totally different direction now...... so we will see.......

[Brigid]

I don't think God has been too gentle with me but I am sure that's because I resist every step of the way.  As posted elsewhere I have lost my entire old way of life in one fell swoop in 2005.  Been a difficult journey but it seems I am in a totally different direction now...... so we will see.......

I know the pain and confusion (etc) in that! I'll pray for you.