REFINER OF SILVER
(Author unknown)
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness.” (Mal 3: 3)
Sometime ago, a few ladies met to read the scriptures. After reading this verse, a discussion was held concerning its meaning. One lady’s opinion was that it was intended to convey the viewof the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to her friends what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the objective of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.
“But, sir,” she said, “Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?”
“Oh, yes, madam,” replied the silversmith, “I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.”
The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Christ sees it needful to put his children into a furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and his wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them...
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said that he had one more thing further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying is complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye
are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Pet 1:6-7)“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41)