This morning someone emailed me the excerpt below. It was very timely and provided needed encouragement. I couldn’t help but share it with you all. In Jeremiah 18:1-6, we read that God is the potter and we are the clay. He is seeking in these last days to fashion us so that we can rightly reflect His character and similitude. This fashioning process is painful and the natural reaction is to draw back, but if we allow Him to do this work we will come forth as pure gold.
God Permits Trial and Affliction to Purify Me
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Mal. 3:2, 3 {ML 92.1}
A refining, purifying process is going on among the people of God, and the Lord of hosts has set His hand to this work. This process is most trying to the soul, but it is necessary in order that defilement may be removed. Trials are essential in order that we may be brought close to our heavenly Father, in submission to His will, that we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. . . . The Lord brings His children over the same ground again and again, increasing the pressure until perfect humility fills the mind, and the character is transformed; then they are victorious over self, and in harmony with Christ and the Spirit of heaven. The purification of God’s people cannot be accomplished without suffering. . . . He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. True grace is willing to be tried. If we are loath to be searched by the Lord, our condition is one of peril. . . . {ML 92.2}
It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to men their hidden defects. He would have them critically examine the complicated emotions and motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong, and modify their dispositions and refine their manners. God would have His servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. . . . The fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine. [BEGIN P.93] {ML 92.3}
Tags: potter, purify, refiners fire
August 27th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Dear Lord, Help me to know that while I am in the fire, you are with me. Help me to understand that if I put my trust in you I will be victorious. This trial is heavy on my heart, but i know that burdens are lifted at Calvary.
In Jesus name I pray….amen
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for the reminder Chirst care for us that He desire for us to be molded in His character, I pray that the Lord will help me to stop restling with Him and surrender my will into His hands so He can shape, crave me and mold me into His character.Put most of all depiste of who I am and the thinks I do He has be patient and still willing to work with me.