Nov 17 – As Gold — Refined Gold!

“I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.” (Jeremiah 2:2)

Many believers often say with sadness, “Whenever I long to draw closer to the Lord, my trials and struggles seem to increase. The battles grow so heavy that I find myself crying, ‘Enough, Lord!’” Such feelings are human and natural. It is true — trials and chastening come not only to young believers but also to mature Christians.

Yet, we must never forget this truth: these trials and chastening are not meant to drown us in sorrow, but to refine us — to make us like pure gold.

In times of testing, that is when we must cling even closer to the Lord. We must lean on His grace and turn our hearts toward Him in deeper love. The righteous Job faced intense trials — wave after wave of suffering that struck him from every side. But in that dark hour, he declared:

“Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8–10)

Job’s faith and confidence in God sustained him through all his testing.

Think of a goldsmith. How long does he keep the gold in the furnace? First, until all the impurities and dross are burned away. Second, until his own reflection appears clearly on the surface of the refined gold. Likewise, the Lord — who has redeemed us at a great price — will continue refining us until His likeness is seen in us.

Scripture describes our relationship with God in many ways: the potter and the clay, the shepherd and the sheep, the cornerstone and the living stones built upon it. Yet, the most exalted relationship of all is that of the Bridegroom and His bride — for we are being prepared to be His spotless, radiant Bride.

Dear child of God, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” When you, purified and made holy, enter that glorious Kingdom, how joyfully the angels will welcome you!

Verse for further meditation: “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:8)