There was a group of men in a Bible study on the book of Malichi. As they were studying Chapter
3, they came across verse 3 which says:
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled the men and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature
of God. One of the men offered to investigate the process of refining silver and have a report for the group at their next
Bible study.
The next day this man called up a silversmith and made arrangements to watch him as he worked in
his shop. He watched the silversmith hold a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. The silversmith explained that
in the process of refining silver, he needed to place the silver in the middle of the flame where the fire produces
the most heat so as to burn away all the impurities.
As he watched the silversmith, the man thought about God holding us up in the same manner, in the
midst of the fire. Once again he thought about the verse in Malachi 3:3 that says, "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier
of silver." He asked the silversmith if it was necessary for him to sit there and observe the entire process as the silver
was being refined. The silversmith answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding and guiding the silver through the fire,
but he also had to keep his eyes on the silver during the entire process. The silversmith explained that if the silver was
left even a moment too long in the fire, it would be destroyed. The man was silent and thought for moment. Then he asked the
silversmith, how do you know when the silver is refined and the process completed? The silversmith smiled and answered,
Oh, that is the easy part -- when it shines like a mirror and I see my image reflected in it!
During the course of your life when you feel the heat of the fire, always remember that God is in
control and has His eye on you. God will keep his hands on you and watch over you, then remove you from the fire when He sees
His image in you. Praise God and His Peace be with you.
