Our faith must be the strongest when we are at our weakest.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10, ESV).
Many are enduring hardships and struggles that feel unbearable. It may be a financial situation that drains your bank account because the debts outweigh their income. Perhaps it is a health issue that will not relent. It could be a marriage under attack. A pastor and the ministry, struggling to keep its doors open. And even a business on the verge of collapse. What about a nation that once honored God but now embraces immorality and lawlessness? Could any of these be God trying to get your attention? Are they situations He is using to refine us? How exactly is God dealing with you in these circumstances? Can you hear His voice among all the pain and sorrow?
In Hebrew, Refine means 6884 tsaraph tsaw-raf' a primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively):--cast, (re-)fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try. (1)
Are you willing to allow God to refine you during this season of despair? I know it does not feel good. It may be unlike anything you have ever experienced. Besides, why would He use such an unlikely means to refine you? You thought He loved you. He even said you could thrust all your cares on Him. But what do you do when He uses the unbearable to refine you? (1 Peter 5:7, AMP).
And because your ways are never His ways; the Lord takes His time in this process. (Isaiah 55:8, AMP). However, if ever you need relief, it is now. You need Him to rescue you, but instead, your pain and sorrow intensify. So, why would God use afflictions to refine us? And affliction means more than some form of sickness.
According to the King James Dictionary, Affliction means The state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief.
Some virtues are seen only in affliction
2. The cause of continued pain of body or mind, such as sickness, losses, calamity, adversity, or persecution. (2)
In that fiery furnace of affliction, God is refining us so we will be all He created us to be! It feels like the Lord is breaking us, but this is only to build and restore us while removing anything that keeps us from growing spiritually. Like gold being refined, according to Zechariah 13:9, He uses such to test us, to show us our genuine heart posture. Dear One, our faith must be the strongest when we are weakest. Beloved, His means of refining is never to harm us but always for our greater good! We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author; and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2, NASB).
However, you are in a season of waiting and uncertainty. It requires staying in His presence, seeking His face, and praying. Though you find this challenging, God is refining you when you find pleasure in it, instead of becoming impatient. Then you will see the blessings it brings. When the pain is so intense and unbearable, it could be hard to believe in the goodness of God again. Beloved, during our weakest moments we must be steadfast and unmovable in our faith.
Psalms 34:19 assures us that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. We will face many perplexing circumstances that stretch our faith. You may be at the point where you do not believe you can endure any more pain, grief, or suffering. Hold on, because He promises He will rescue you from it all. Nothing you are going through is mightier than the ability of God to bring you through victoriously. You are not alone because He is with you! Lord, during this process, help me not to look to my understanding but to trust You even more. (Proverbs 3:5; Psalms 143:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). You will emerge more resilient, forged in the fires of His refining.
I pray the song, Speak Your Name by Anthony Brown & therAPY stirs your heart to let the Lord have His way as He refines you. He will show up and show out!
TIME FOR REFLECTION: If it were your choice, would you ask God to use afflictions to refine you? Please explain your answer. Please encourage somebody today. Please leave your thoughts in the comments, hit that heart, and share this devotional.
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