Becoming a Visible Image of the Lord

A group of women in a Bible Study wanted to know the refining process of silver. So, one of the women 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 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, “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 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. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is conforming us into His image. Our pain is becoming our praise and purpose! Our tests are confirming our testimony. Our suffering is producing service!

PRAYER: Thank You Lord as we continue as a work in progress through Your refining process. We thank You Lord that the pain of our hearts and the contrition of our soul truly bring a “rich fulfillment.” I now read Psalm 66:10-12 as follows: “For You, O God, have tested ME; You have refined ME as silver is refined. You brought ME into the net; You laid affliction on MY back. You have caused men to ride over MY head; I went
through fire and through water; but You brought ME out to rich fulfillment.”
By Sis. Cheryl Torain