The Refiner's Fire

Lately, I have been talking with God about some of the challenges I've been facing. I’ve been feeling a little like Elijah in the cave waiting for the “still small voice”. I asked a friend yesterday if she could ask God to raise the volume up a little bit for me! LOL! I say this to say that even as Christians we sometimes get caught up in the why mes and stay in the pity party a little too long. We listen out for every voice except God’s and wonder why we are still suffering. So I found myself this morning in 1 Peter 1 and it truly blessed me. It reminded me about why we go through trials and circumstances in our lives.

Peter is talking to God’s people that are living as pilgrims in various countries and reminding them that they have been chosen by God and sanctified by the Holy Spirit and to continue to be obedient to Christ. He is encouraging them and in doing so, encouraging us! “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:6 & 7 NLT)

Isn't that good news?! There is a reward for holding onto your faith through the valleys of life. We are being refined by the Great Refiner that we might come out as pure gold. I know you’ve heard the saying that “the anointing ain’t free”. Well it’s not just a saying, it’s the truth. Our testimonies come out of our tests. If we never go through anything, how can we be transparent with someone that is not saved and help them understand that they can make it? You can’t help with what you don’t understand.  It can be a hard pill to swallow but you often have to go through something to go the next level. I can’t remember any scripture that says life will always be easy but I do know that God says “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

The world often assumes that Christians don’t or shouldn’t go through anything. There has been a misconception that being saved means all issues end but we know that to not be true. As we go through the refining process, we have to live in a way that is pleasing to God. After you survive a trial, take the lessons and move forward. Verse 14 -16 says, “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.  But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” (NLT)

We are now responsible for what we have learned. God called us to be a peculiar people, set apart for His glory. So even as we go through the refining process, we can’t handle it like the world. I noticed that whenever I am struggling with something, God always sends someone to me for encouragement with the very thing I am dealing with. I have to speak the Word to them and in turn, I encourage myself. It’s all a part of the process and that’s where you will find your blessing.

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.  The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 8-9, NLT) This is what you can always go back to whenever your faith needs a boost. There is a great reward in trusting a God that you have never seen. Jesus himself said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”(John 20:29) When it gets too hard and the still small voice seems quieter than a whisper, remember that God is refining you for His glory! And when you come out of the fire, it will be as pure gold!

Be blessed! AMEN...