Purpose Beyond the Pain
Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel (Proverbs 25:4).
Scripture: Proverbs 25:2-7
Song: “Refiner’s Fire”
It had been 14 days in a hospital bed in France. I was far from my family and home. Why did God allow this trial? It seemed unusually long, and it was far from over. Despite the turmoil within my heart, I knew God was watching over me, and that He had a greater purpose.
Proverbs 25:4 gives insight into that purpose with the analogy of a silversmith. Creating a silver vessel is a process. First, the rough ore is broken and placed in a crucible under intense heat. As the temperature rises, the impurities (dross) rise to the surface. The silversmith then skims the dross off the top. He returns the crucible to the furnace to repeat this process until he sees his reflection in the liquid, which lets him know that the silver is finally pure. In the same way, God uses our trials to eliminate the dross in us, transforming us into the likeness of Christ.
Dear friend, seeing the purpose beyond our pain is never easy, especially when our eyes are filled with tears. Yet God is asking us to trust Him. He knows what He’s doing, and He’s making everything beautiful in His time!
Father, as You purify my heart, help me to trust that You are working in my life for good and for Your glory. In Christ, amen.
February 25–28. Leila Grandemange lives in Virginia with her husband and several adorable dogs, which are also part of her ministry. She loves simple things: family dinners, walks in nature, and tea with friends.