Tuesday, November 11, 2008

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver".

I went visiting teaching today and my partner shared this story. I had never heard it before but I love it now. It really does help me know that our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ are always here for us and keep a watchful eye over us!


There was a group of women in a Bible Study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says:"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver". This verse puzzled the women 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, this woman called up 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 "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 "But how doyou 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 Hiseye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

4 comments:

Dave and Jodi said...

I have never heard that either. I really like that, It really makes you stop and think. heavenly father is always there and when we are going through trials its so we can become stronger and become more like him. Great post!

alina said...

oooh, i like that. its funny how the scriptures are just full of little hidden gems to inspire us, so much meaning and thought are put into each chapter,verse and word,we just need to look for them! like a great big Easter egg hunt! lol thanks for the post! :)

Jamie and Heather Darger said...

I am so glad you posted that - it was in SIs shorts lesson Sunday and I was going to ask her for the story - now I dont have too! Loved it :)

Anonymous said...

great story!!! I think we all need to hear that one over and over, so we don't feel overwhelmed with our trials. God will never forget us!!