When we want something to be at its best, it often has to go through a refining process. To have the best, the strongest, or the most valuable metals, they often need to be refined by going through intense heat to burn off the impurities. For the best quality, petroleum or oil needs to be refined. We even refine flour and sugar so they work better in a recipe. How about people? We might not think about that very often, but as we read in our psalm for today, God does refine His people, His chosen ones. Let’s take a closer look at our Scripture passage and see what that’s all about.
If inanimate objects could talk, and we were to sit down with that bar of precious metal, that barrel of petroleum, or some other objects, they would tell us that they do not like the refining process. The heat and the pressure is not pleasant, they would tell us. The grain going through the gristmill to become fine flour is not happy about that, either. “Get me out of here! Leave me alone!” they might shout. But in the end, they are happy with the end result. That wedge of gold would be much happier now that it is pure and more valuable.
God desires to refine His children, as well. He wants to get all of the impurities out of us, all the bad thoughts, the sinful habits, anything that stands in the way of our becoming more like His Son, Jesus Christ. To do that, the process is also similar. Sometimes the Lord needs to put a believer through the fires of affliction to test, to burn, and to try us in order to make us more like Jesus (vs. 10-12). God allows us to undergo times of testing to toughen our spirits. He teaches us to rely on Him, and He purifies us to be holy, so that we become more like Christ. The Lord tests every believer to reveal the character of their heart, and to lead them into a deeper relationship with Him.
Of course, we may not enjoy or like the trials we are going through. The refining process is never easy. Just ask the wedge of silver or gold, that barrel of petroleum, or the sack of grain going through the mill. However, God does not just leave us in the refining fires. It does come to an end. We may have to go through some very difficult and trying times and circumstances, but we will not remain in them. God will preserve us, and bring us safely through them. The prophet Isaiah gave us a similar promise from the Lord regarding going through difficulties in Isaiah 43:1-2.
Sometimes when we go through a particularly difficult and trying time we might make a promise or a vow to the Lord. We might promise Him that if He gets us out of this terrible trouble, we will do this or that, or give a generous donation, or something else. However, how often is that vow forgotten once the trial is over? We make bargains with God, but when we recover, the vow is forgotten and we go on our merry way, and nothing is changed. Our psalmist remembered what he had promised God, and was prepared to carry it out (vs. 13-15). Vows to God are serious, and believers should neither make them rashly, nor forget to fulfill them when made. Not only should we keep our promises to the Lord, but when He does deliver us, we need to be sure to proclaim and give testimony to all that He has done (vs. 16). The greatest witness in the world is a redeemed soul giving a testimony to others, telling what the Lord has done for them.
Our psalmist closes this psalm with a warning about sin and prayer by telling us that if we are harboring any unconfessed, unrepented sin in our hearts the Lord will not hear us (vs. 18-19). In order for our prayers to be heard and answered, we need to have a right relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ by trusting Him as Savior. There are some people who choose to live in ungodliness, even after salvation. God does not respond to their prayers, and He is under no obligation or promise to answer the prayers of the lost, no matter how good they are. This doesn’t mean that we can never make a mistake. But we must repent of all known sin and avoid continuing in it.
When we refuse to repent, or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. When a believer decides to defy God, He puts us in a “time out” to get our attention. He still loves us, but He stops “listening” until we are ready to give up our rebellion, just like a good parent does to a willful child. God blesses obedience, not stubbornness! Turn your hearts to the Lord, and He will hear your prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment