The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold,
likewise the LORD tests hearts. (Proverbs 17:3)
The blacksmith pulls a glowing bar from the furnace. He examines both sides of the raw iron and compares it to the image of a sword he holds in his mind. Down comes the hammer and sparks fly. One blow at a time, the chunk is transformed into something useful.
Next comes tempering. The red hot metal is plunged into cooling oil. When one quench is complete, back into the fire the sword goes. The artist knows the unique molecular structure of this piece. Only repeated heat and controlled quenching can align the internal structure.
Eventually, the smith polishes a razor sharp, gleaming blue edge. He now has a formidable weapon with which he can fight the powers of evil.
I am inside God’s furnace. Everything in me resists his character forging process. Sickness, broken relationships, and moral failures all hammer my soul. As soon as one trial is quenched, another heats up.
God looks at my unformed heart. He foresees a soul dancing from joy and loving even toxic people. He anticipates a weapon in his hand that flashes against injustice. And so it is, with precise knowledge of every atom in my being, that he thrusts me into the fire again.
Prayer: Father, remake me by any means necessary.