God Refines and Tests Us Like Silver

In our daily meditations, we reflect on Scriptures that illuminate how God tests us to transform us. Sometimes, our lives feel heavy and stressful, and it may seem as if God is absent, allowing others to ride over us and place burdens on our backs. Why does God permit difficult times in the lives of His children? The answer is that He refines the character of all who walk in a relationship with Him. Just as a metal sword forged for combat is put through the fire, refined, and hammered on the anvil, God allows trials and difficulties to enter our lives so that we can grow spiritually through them. Here's what the Word of God says about the refining fire:

10For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. 11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance (Psalm 66:10-12).

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10).

We don't often see God's molding and shaping plan until twenty years later, when we can enjoy the fruits of the test or trial. We are frequently unaware of God's intentions and purposes for our lives in the present. Our life experiences would make more sense if we could look into the future and understand what God is shaping us to become.

What is the fruit of God’s testing? God seeks a tenderness of heart that leads to a greater presence or anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the maturing of our character. Of course, this can also bring blessings in our lives and the lives of others. God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. How do I know this? The mother of the two disciples, James and John, asked if they could occupy the best positions in the Kingdom of God, at the right and left hand of Jesus. The Lord replied that those places are reserved for those who will endure the cup of suffering with an attitude of grace, just as Jesus did. Christ said to James and John:

"You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father" (Matthew 20:23; emphasis added).

What can we infer from this passage and several others? God knows what He is doing. John and James wanted the seats of honor on either side of Jesus, but were they prepared to take the same cup of suffering that Jesus would take? To be great in the sight of God is to be a servant of all and to serve others during times of suffering. The way up is the way down. Christ in us must become greater, and we must become less significant (John 3:30). God sees all who wish to walk the way of the cross with Him and live like Christ, and He shapes and molds the character of His people to be all that He envisions us to be in eternity. Life is not solely about what occurs in the world. He sees the end from the beginning and has a vision of the finished product of your life that He is shaping you into. Each of us is a product of the choices and responses to the various trials God has prepared for us. When the cup of suffering is handed to you, will you choose to embrace the way of pain, or will you opt for the easy way out of the trial and compromise your faith?

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

What does the above Scripture say? First, it states that God Himself is working on you, shaping you—that you are His workmanship. Secondly, it affirms that He created you to perform good works that God Himself, before the world's creation, prepared in advance for you to accomplish. Will you allow His testing and refining to shape and mold you into who He created you to be? Lay your life down before Him today and sincerely ask Him to have His way in your life—you will never regret that decision! Keith Thomas

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