May 26, 2004

[shooraijin]

Sorry this is so late. This is Rev Doc's devotional for today's date. -- S.

The Reflection Of God

2 Corinthians 3:18 "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."

We often worry about what others see when they look at our lives. What we should be concerned with is what God sees. For what he expects to see is Himself.

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. 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 is was intended to convey the view of the
sanctifying influence of the grace of God. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object 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 be 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."

God 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. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

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

Prayer: Pray that you may have such a close walk with the Master that when others view your life, He will be seen.

"A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful, and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life." ~John Fischer