THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION
“A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.”
Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
What do you need to do to be loved by God? Nothing! Even the worst of sinners, are deeply loved by God! However, to be used by God is a different matter. We can flee from the furnace or we can jump into it. God leaves the choice to us but He only chooses those that are willing to undergo the fire.
Many years ago, I was walking through a very painful trial. I cried to the Lord over and over. I did not get a response for a long time. Finally, He broke the silence. “Tom, those I use, I must break and those I mightily use, I must crush!” I would love to tell you that I was greatly comforted but that was not the case. What I can tell you is, that no pain or suffering we go through as followers of Jesus, is ever wasted or without good purpose! The good news is as Job said it, “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as Gold!” Like the three Hebrew children, we are not alone. Jesus always walks with us through the fire and therefore the fire can never truly harm us! It only makes us fit for the Master’s use!
Every blessing!
—Tom