Job 23:10 – But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire. (DRA)

As a former coin collector, I have always had a fascination with gold, which is one of our most precious metals. There are several YouTube videos on the Internet that show the painstaking refinement process by which all the dross and impurities are removed to obtain a 99.99 percent pure troy ounce gold ingot. My thoughts are immediately forwarded to the heavenly city found in the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 21:18b – And the city was pure gold, like clear glass. (NKJV)

Revelation 21:21b – And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. (NKJV)

Upon reading this, one realizes that only God can produce 100 percent pure transparent gold, which is native only to heaven. Even with the most sophisticated technology, one can reach only 99.99 percent purity here on earth.

A recent commercial advertises gold investing for one's future. A nagging question at the end asks, What's in your safe? Investing in gold appeals to our desire for security in this world, while our real security is in the Lord. This worldly attitude is one thing that needs to be refined out of us.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (NASB)

God is reminding us that when we are faced with transitory negative problems or situations, He is simply testing our faith; we are going through the fire to be refined.

James 1:3 – Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (NKJV)

Facing these tests, however, we need to pray for discernment: Are we also wearing the whole armour of God and warding off the snares and fiery darts of the devil?

Unlike acquiring material gold, our spiritual growth demands a unique cleansing process. Even though temporarily, Jesus is refining and purifying our hearts, as in the fire, into sincerity and maturity in the faith. When we sin, by asking for His forgiveness, we are cleansed by His blood. In doing so, ultimately, we will be found worthy when walking into His presence — priceless! Therefore, rejoice in the Lord!

As the commercial queries, What's in your safe?

Prayer: God of creation, we thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Word. We prayerfully ask for strengthened faith and peace as we are continually being refined into conformity to Your Son. Perfect us to be the kings and priests that You desire. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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