Isaiah 48:10  “I have not refined you as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering” (NLT).

Several years ago, while in the midst of a deep trial and threats upon our lives from our work in the city, the Spirit of the Lord led me through scriptures in Isaiah. God spoke deeply and profoundly to me as I sat at my desk. Literally feeling as if I was seated in the presence of my Savior, He taught me and encouraged me. Thank God for those times of refreshing in the midst of darkness.

The scriptures in Isaiah began to clarify our situation and help me see His protection and purpose in these things. Then He led me to these words:

“I have not refined you as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.”

The New American Standard Bible states the scripture in this way: “For I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”

Have you ever felt like you were in the furnace of suffering? Sometimes for such a prolonged period that it seems the heat is only being turned up hotter and hotter?

The Hebrew for refined is “tsaraph.” Listen to all of the meanings of this word:

I have founded you.

I have melted you.

I have purified you.

I have purged away.

I have tried you.

This one stands out to me:  I have fused you to Me. By heating us up to that melting point, Christ has fused us unto Himself!

He is also saying, “I have joined you to Me … I have made you acceptable … I have brought excellence out of you … in the furnace of suffering!!!”

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT).

[ To be continued … ]