Can You Write A Better Instruction Manual Than God? God created you, your mind, and your free will. Like any good “manufacturer,” He included an instruction manual describing how to use what He created (you) properly to get the most out of you. The Holy Bible is His instruction manual. And wow! It is so powerful and life changing. Read the story below and see how one sentence of scripture can teach so much. There was a group of women in a Bible study about the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3, which says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week she called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process itself. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest, so as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot – then she thought again about the verse, that He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered “yes,” he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s the easy part–when I see my image reflected in it.” What can we take away from this beautiful story? Our Lord wants the impurities out of our body, soul (mind), and spirit. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” Our Lord is with us every minute of every day as we go through the process of refinement and purification. “…he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire” Our Lord knows how much we can take, and his timing is perfect because it is his timing “For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.” Our Lord will never give us more burdens than we can manage as long as we are living according to his word. Our Lord truly wants to see us grow to be like Him. “Oh, that’s the easy part–when I see my image reflected in it.” How do we handle the purifying process that seems painful and overwhelming at times? We apply His instructions from the great instruction manual our manufacturer gave us. Instead of doing life your way, or managing the stressors your way, switch over to God’s way. He knows exactly how to view, process, and handle the adversities of life. Today, when you feel under pressure, stop and remind yourself of the silversmith and the silver. Identify whose instruction book you are using to handle that pressure-filled (purifying) situation God brought into your life. The outcome of the situation … and whether you achieve peace and joy … will be determined by the instruction manual you choose, so choose well. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Malachi 3:3 (NLT) He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 19:53:29 +0000
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