"Refine Me Lord!": 4/17/25

The Daily Sword 4/17/25

Good morning gentlemen,

My quiet time this morning was in Proverbs 17….“The crucible is for silver, the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests the heart.” (Proverbs 17:3)

Silver and gold are tried and purified to their highest quality in a “crucible” or in a “furnace.”

In Hebrew, the word for “crucible” is “maṣrēp̄” and the word for “furnace” is “kûr.”

Both words are describing a type of “refining pot, smelting pot, or furnace” which were used to heat silver and gold to high enough temperatures to melt, so all the impurities (dross) could be removed from the precious metal….

This process is called “refinement.”

In the refining process when the precious metal is melted, all the dross and impure compounds separate from the pure precious metal and come to the surface of the liquid….

The silversmith or goldsmith then skims the dross out of the liquid metal. He repeats this process over and over, each time with increased heat, until all the dross is removed….

The refining process accomplishes several things….

It separates all that Is “impure” from all that is “pure….”

It proves the precious metal….

It increases the quality and purity of the precious metal….

The refining process is complete when the silversmith or goldsmith can look into the pure, liquid, precious, metal and see his own reflection….

With the dross completely removed, the precious liquid metal is like a mirror reflecting the face and image of the “Refiner.”

In the same way, this verse is telling us that God will use our trials and tribulations to refine us….

The “crucibles and furnaces” that we endure in life refine us….They purify us….They prove us….They improve us….They grow our faith and character….

Like dross, our trials allow all the impurities in our lives and character to surface….So the “Master Refiner” can skim them out of us….

This intense and fiery process of refinement does not destroy the silver and gold….It only makes it better, and purer. Same with us….

As our Master Refiner, God wants to remove all the dross from our lives so He can see His own image reflected when He looks upon us….The image of Jesus reflected in our lives….

Remember this gentleman, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trials, trouble, and tribulation….” (John 16:33). He didn’t say you “might have” or “will possibly have.” He said, “You will have.”

It’s a definitive….

And while the refining process will not always be an appeasing place to be, or an enjoyable process to go through, as believers there is good news about the crucibles and furnaces that we endure in life….Jesus is with us!

Just like when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown onto the fiery furnace, the furious King said, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt....The fire had no power over them, and the hair on their heads was not singed, and their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.” (Daniel 3:8-30)

Jesus was with them in the fire….

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Knowing Jesus is with us in the crucibles and furnaces of life should encourage us and strengthen us….And cause us to draw nearer to Him….

I came across this limerick written by George Keith, a 17th century Scottish Theologian. He’s writing this as if God is the author……

“When thro’ fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; My only design,

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

Gentlemen, what fiery trial are you facing right now?....

Are you in a barren desert?

Are you battling cancer?

Are you facing a financial crisis?

Are you dealing with the loss of a loved one?

Are you depressed?

Are you in a place of uncertainty?

Are you dealing with a prodigal child?

There are men in this group that I know that are going through these very things….

What trial are you going through? And if you are not right now, what trial is on your horizon?

Gentlemen, when we go through our “crucibles and furnaces” we need to view them as opportunities for spiritual growth and refinement….

We need to trust the “Master Refiner’s” work….

God's testing in our lives is always for our ultimate good and His glory….

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

"And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good….(Romans 8:28)

Gentlemen, my heart’s prayer is this…..

“Lord Jesus, refine me and purify me, in the furnace if needed. Please remove all the "dross" in my heart and life, so I can reflect You, and be a conduit of light for You. Do whatever You need to do to shape me and mold me into Your instrument, pure as gold, and fit for the Master’s use.”

Gentlemen, go humbly surrender to Him today, and everyday....

Die to “self” today and everyday….

Go make the arduous climb upon His potter’s wheel today, and everyday….

Seek God's refining work in your life through prayer, scripture, and obedience, desiring a heart that is pure and pleasing to Him…..

Embrace your crucibles and furnaces….Allow Him to refine you, purify you, shape you, and mold you into His masterpiece!

And remember....He is always with us in the fire!

Go make it a great day for Him!

Love y’all,

-dino