I Will Resurrect Like Refined Gold
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. — Job 23:10
Job acknowledges three essential truths. First, Job acknowledges that God is still in control. He is aware in his suffering that Satan, sympathizers, and the situation will convince him that he is far from God. But Job is confident. God is not far but "knows the way Job takes." Second, Job acknowledges that the challenges of this season will eventually become something of the past. Notice his use of the past tense — "when God has tried me." Third, Job acknowledges a future benefit. And he is focused on this benefit. That the present fire, while hot, also produces heat that refines. He knows that when God turns up the heat, he is refining. And that he has been chosen to become something better and of greater value. He is going to "come out as gold."
If you are going through a Job-like season, you will naturally believe:
- That God is distant from you.
- That your trial has no end.
- That there is no purpose in your suffering.
But these three assertions are not the truth. They are lies. The truth is what we hear Job preach to himself here. What Job proclaims to friends that try to sway him to believe otherwise. They are:
- That God is near and in control.
- That this trial will end.
- That there is purpose in this season that God will use to refine you and make you better.
And this is not the power of positive thinking. This is the power of an Almighty God refining you like precious, valuable gold. Hang on, brother. You will resurrect like refined gold.
ASK THIS: Which of the three truths do you need to cling to today? (Share this in the comments below.)
DO THIS: Believe this truth. Cast off the lie. And ask others to pray for increased belief.
PRAY THIS: God, help me to reject the lies of my mind and believe your truth. Strengthen my faith. I invite you to refine me.
PLAY THIS: How Firm A Foundation.
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Read through the Bible daily with Vince Miller.
A precious stone is not precious until it has been ground by a mast jeweler!!! (1cor. 3:12)
Cancer is grinding at me.
that god is near and in control
there is a purpose in the season God is putting me through, and I am sure it is for my personal growth, but I don’t always focus on the positive or eternal. God, please help me focus on You and Your plan, not me and mine or these temporary circumstances. Amen.
God is in control.
Amen
I know there is a purpose, but my patience can be thin and my faith weak. My will wants the answer yesterday.
Hey Vince ,
These devos are such a blessing. You have no idea. I am going through the most challenging trial of my life with the brain tumor. I pray that through all of this that our God be glorified ,that the nurses ,doctors and assistants see His glory and come to believes that He has authority over all things. Thank you Vince for your faithfulness.
God is nesr and in Control!
3
That there is purpose in this season that God will use to refine you and make you better.
This trial will end!
That there is purpose in this season that God will use to refine you and make you better.
That there is a purpose in this season.
“That God is near and in control”
I have been through trials in life where I knew God was in control but wasn’t sure they would end. At the time didn’t understand the purpose or that I would come out if it a better person.
It wasn’t until later in life and many trials later that I began to understand these three points.
Vince, I thank you for taking time to send these daily devotion out. I want you to know they do make a difference and are working!
Have a blessed day sir!