We Are Refined Through Trials for God’s Work – (Proverbs 17:3)

Daily Bible Study
The refining of silver and gold is not only an exacting process, but it also requires a considerable amount of heat and stress in order to remove the impurities and bring out just the fine metal. To refine the metal it had to be heated to the point of melting, at which time the impurities would then float to the top and could be removed. The impurities were referred to as dross and were considered unfit for any type of use. The fine metal, which is extracted through the refining process, is then shaped and polished after which it becomes usable and fit for service to its owner. The refining process makes the metal usable and more precious in the sight of the owner. And just as precious metals are refined by fire in order to make them more valuable, so to our trials, help to refine us and make us more valuable for service to God. Our trials help to remove the superficial and bring us to a point of honesty and reliance on the Lord. Our trials make us stronger in the Lord because they build up our faith in Christ.

Our trials create within us endurance, which comes from remaining steadfast in our faith, as we face the trial at hand. And we do so by trusting in the Lord for guidance and strength. The result of which is God builds up within us perseverance as our faith grows stronger. And when God has finished His good work in us and He has equipped us with endurance, humility and trust in Him alone, we are prepared for His kingdom work. We are ready for His service, displaying His good work in us, as we help those around us. Through the work of God in us, we become a more faithful witness for the kingdom of God. It's when we have made it through the fire of trials, by trusting in the Lord, that we become the most useful to God. Because it's only then, when we have learned to rely completely on the Lord that we truly become useful to God, because He can now work through us. Like impurities in fine metal, our pride, our ego, our greed and selfishness must be drawn out and removed if we are to be of use to the Lord. And often times this can only happen through the fire of trials in our lives.