The Ultimate Silversmith

Scripture:  Mal. 3:3a “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver…”

There was a group of women doing 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 about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next study.

That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond sharing her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver in the middle of 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 in order to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. Then 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 said yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver in place, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver were left even 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. Are the refining fires reflecting God’s image in your life? Can you still praise Him no matter what the circumstances?

Prayer:  Thank You sweet Jesus for knowing how long to keep me in the refining fire to look more like You.

(by Cheryl Torain)