Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Restoring the Divine Image


"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3

This verse says so much about God’s patience and care for us. Having been made in God's image and likeness, we are being purified so that that image may be fully evident.

One woman in a Bible study offered to find out what this verse from Malachi means and to report back to the group. The woman made an appointment to watch a silversmith work, expressing her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched, the silversmith held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, the silver had to be held in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all impurities.

She asked the silversmith if he had to sit in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that he had to sit there holding the silver and had to keep his eyes on the silver during the entire process because if the silver is left in the flames a moment too long, it will be destroyed.

The woman then asked, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined? The silversmith smiled and answered, "That's easy. When I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the fire, imagine that God is watching and will continue to watch over you until He sees His image in you.

No comments: