“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:” ~ Malachi 3:3a 

Throughout the Scriptures the Lord uses the refining of precious metals as an illustration of His use of trials to refine and purify His chosen vessels. Job referred to that in Job 23:10 when he said, “…when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Peter referred to “the fiery trial which is to try you” in 1 Peter 4:12. Refining of metal is always accomplished by intense heat and so the spiritual refining of a child of God is achieved by the flame of trials and tribulations. 

 As Malachi echoes this oft repeated theme, he reminds us of something we easily overlook. When the refiner of gold or silver has applied the heat, he stays right there with a watchful eye throughout the entire process. He knows exactly how much heat to apply and knows not to exceed that lest the precious metal be damaged and rendered unusable. As soon as the dross is separated, He removes it and at that moment he removes the heat as well. He is ever present and never leaves the crucible unattended. 

Child of God, be assured that in every trial in which you find yourself, the Lord Himself is ever present. He never takes His loving eyes away from you for even a second. He is watching over you in diligence and love. His goal is not to harm you but to refine you and produce in you a reflection of His own image! He “sits as a refiner and purifier of silver”! 

May this thought comfort and strengthen each of us in our times of trial! 

Pastor Bish