Reflecting Christ through Affliction

"I have refined you in the furnace of affliction."

Isaiah 48:10

Some afflictions are sent by God--to purify character. God sits as a Refiner beside His furnace. He heats it until the metal melts--and the dross surfaces and is taken away. He keeps His silver in the furnace--until He can see His own face reflected in the clear metal of the heart.

Then the affliction has done its work. There is such a wretched amount of self-will and pride and covetousness and unbelief even in the best of Christians--that they require the refining-furnace very often.

It is a wholesome process--to be "mowed down" occasionally. The grass in every lawn requires to be cut down by a mower. The oftener it is mowed--the richer and the thicker is the growth. The lawn never looks so beautiful, as after the sharp-edged mower has gone over it. I have observed that some Christians have never appeared so attractive in their humility and heavenly-mindedness, as when God's mowing-machine has been passed over them!

(Theodore Cuyler, "God's Light on Dark Clouds")

What a line: "until He can see His own face reflected in the clear metal of the heart. " That is how afflictions brings him Glory. Oh Lord, keep me in the furnace as long as you like. It is the desire of my heart to more accurately reflect You to a lost and dying world.

Comments

Mel said…

Amen, my friend! I second that prayer! Your blog is full of profound truth and resounding echos of God-glorifying beauty. :)I've noticed the truth of this post lived out in my own life. I like myself better after God has brought a season of discipline into my life--my heart is more easily content, and far more receptive to truth, and more easily submitted to God's leading. I want to stay in this place forever... Content and joyful in Christ alone.

December 2, 2008 at 8:57 AM

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