The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the
Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He
saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in
refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable
ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that
he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be
placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and
whether they can be fashioned for His work.
This world is the scene of our trials, our griefs, our
sorrows. We are here to bear the test of God. The fire of the furnace is to
kindle till our dross is consumed and we come forth as gold purified in the
furnace of affliction
So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with
adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and
it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are
developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and
forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we
shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted
task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute
decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer.
Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters
noble or our lives useful, unless we become co‑workers with Him. Those who
decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory.
Stay tuned for the next post in this study..
Isaiah 13:13/1 Peter 1:7, 4:12,13/James 1:12/Revelation 3:18/2 Timothy 2:3/
Romans 5:3/Mark 13:20,21/1 Peter 5:10
© 2013 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com
