September 12

Bring self to God’s crucible

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts” (Prov. 17:3).
“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. 3:3).

No vessel of gold is molded without the fire. Shrink not from the flames of divine love. If you would be molded you must be melted.

Take my heart, Thou Blacksmith of the ages,
Try me in the furnace Thou hast planned;
Place me in the white-heat of affliction,
And fashion with the hammer of Thy hand.

Make of my else worthless self, a girder,
Tempered with Thy Spirit from above;
And when Thou hast finished, build me firmly
Into the princely temple of Thy love.
—Nathaniel Krum.

It is the fire which refines the gold. Men dig it from the earth, and bring it to the crucible. If it is not put in the flame, it will not be refined. The fire does not refine the gold unless it be brought; the bringing does not refine. It must be brought, and the fire must exert its agency. The soul is not sanctified by means, nor in the absence of them. The means are necessary to bring it to God, and when it is brought, God does the work. Remember this, seeking soul, and now having employed the means, expect God to touch you, and accomplish His promise. Look now away from the means. Look away from self. Trust in Him; yea, trust now! Fall at His feet, and He will make thee whole.
—R. S. Foster.

God’s furnace doth in Zion stand;
But Zion’s God sits by,
As the refiner views his gold
With an observant eye.
His thoughts are high, His love is wise,
His wounds a cure intend;
And though He does not always smile,
He loves unto the end.
—Countess of Huntingdon.

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