The Refiners Furnace

When we are going through the refiners furnace, it may be hot, it may not be fun, we may wonder if we are going to survive through the fire, but we will not be burned. We will not even smell like smoke.

Daniel 3:25-27

    “He answered and said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. [27] And the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king's high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.” Hallelujah!

When we are going through the Refiners Fire, it is not because we have sinned. It is because the Lord is either molding us more into His image, or because He is using us to show off His glory. What a blessing–to actually go through suffering so that we can reflect the character of God.

We should not run from the fire, but embrace it. It actually is also a consuming fire, but instead of destroying and devastating us, it consumes the dross; and instead of scars, we look more like Jesus in His glory.

Out of the refiner’s fire can come a glorious deliverance. It can be a noble and lasting rebirth. The price to become acquainted with God will have been paid. There can come a sacred peace. There will be a reawakening of dormant, inner resources. A comfortable cloak of righteousness will be drawn around us to protect us and to keep us warm spiritually. Self-pity will vanish as our blessings are counted.