His Reflection

"Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel.”
Proverbs 25:4 (NIV)
 
We have all heard these expressions: “Trials come to make us stronger,” and  “It’s all working out for your good,” or “God allows trials to refine you.”  We usually hear these clichés right when we are in the middle of a trial. And truthfully, they don’t change the reality of our situation and the reality is - trials hurt.  They can burn like fire and it’s hard to look past the flames and realize their benefits.
 
In ancient days the most effective way of removing dross (the throwaway of metal) was placing the metal in a crucible and subjecting it to high heat.  The heat would remove the impurities and the refiner was then able to see His reflection in the metal.  This was an indication that the metal was purified.
 
Let’s be honest with ourselves, we all have dross in our lives that need to be burned out.  The dross of distrust, lack of faith, worry, pride, and selfishness, just to name a few.  God knows that in and of ourselves we can do nothing to remove the impurities of sin from our lives. So, in His wisdom, He sends the fiery trials to purify us and to make us more like Him.  He allows the fire of affliction, not to harm or consume us but to remove the dross so that when He looks at us, He can see His reflection and a vessel He can use.

By: Pastor Mark White