God Permits Trial and Affliction to Purify Me

[Thompson, Darryl]

God Permits Trial and Affliction to Purify Me 

     But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when
he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
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 in righteousness. Mal. 3:2, 3  

     A refining, purifying process is going on among the people of God,
and the Lord of hosts has set His hand to this work. This process is
most trying to the soul, but it is necessary in order that defilement
may be removed. Trials are essential in order that we may be brought
close to our heavenly Father, in submission to His will, that we may
offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. . . . The Lord brings
His children over the same ground again and again, increasing the
pressure until perfect humility fills the mind, and the character is
transformed; then they are victorious over self, and in harmony with
Christ and the Spirit of heaven. The purification of God's people cannot
be accomplished without suffering. . . . He passes us from one fire to
another, testing our true worth. True grace is willing to be tried. If
we are loath to be searched by the Lord, our condition is one of peril.
. . .  

     It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to men their hidden defects.
He would have them critically examine the complicated emotions and
motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong, and modify
their dispositions and refine their manners. God would have His servants
become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a
true knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to
assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God's
workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our
characters, and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in
glory. . . . The fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross,
and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the
Divine. 

>From My Life Today - Page 92