“I have refined you, but not as silver is refined…” (Isaiah 48:10 NLT).

Refining silver begins with valuable, precious metal. Although the dross must be separated from it, it is still a precious metal in its quality and character.

When God begins refining us, we are wretched, sinful, and undone. We do not begin the process precious in quality and character, but we are immeasurably loved and chosen to be precious in quality and character and purity of heart, created in His image and likeness to demonstrate the glory of our King!

God takes us as we are and begins the process of refinement, saying:

• When I found you, you were not fit for My favor, but I will make you fit for My favor and bestow My love upon you lavishly.
  
• I have made you a choice one.
  
• I designed you for great things.
  
• I will make you a vessel of honor.
  
• You are precious in My sight, and I love you.
  

The affliction, suffering, and trials of our souls bring forth good when our hearts are hungry for more of Jesus and our minds are fixed on Him. A bridled focus and unbridled passion for our Lord, His Word and His ways no matter our circumstances or situations of our lives, and a humble submission to Him brings us through to the end result that God desires most in us: the presence of the fragrance of Christ in our lives.

Will He truly accomplish these things in us? Isaiah 48:11 says so, “For My sake, even for My own sake, I will do it.”

Be encouraged by these others words from Isaiah:

From Isaiah 43:1-5 (NLT) “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . You are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

Isaiah 54:10 (NLT)  “For the mountains may depart and the hills disappear, but even then I will remain loyal to you. My covenant of blessing will never be broken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.”