About a year ago, I shared with you the story below entitled "Refiner of Silver" (by an unknown author).  In view of the trials that so many are going through right now (both as
individuals and as a nation), I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you again.  It serves as a reminder that while we may not fully understand why terrible things happen, we can know what God hopes to accomplish with even the worst of tragedies.

Some time ago, a few ladies met to read the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to her friends what he said on the subject.  She went accordingly and without telling the objective of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.

"But, sir," she said, "Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"

"Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them.....

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said that he had one more thing further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying is complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his
likeness with ever-increasing glory, which
comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
(2 Cor. 3:18, NIV)

May the events of this past week (and all the other trials that we face) serve to draw us closer to the image of the One who made us and sustains us.