Wednesday September 24, 2008 THE REFINER'S FIRE
"Fair and honest people can reason with him, so I would be acquitted by my Judge. I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find him. But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent." Job 23:7-10 Several years ago when I interviewed for a job at Prison Fellowship Ministries I was astounded as the interview came to a close. As I shook hands with the man interviewing me I made one of those trite remarks we so often make: "Well, I just hope that the person God wants for the job gets it." The wise man said, "God isn't really concerned with who gets the job. The job itself is not what is important, but what He wants to do in the heart of the person who gets it." Now, that took me by surprise and has stayed with me. Often we tend to think that the work we do for the Lord is important, and it is, but more important to God is the process we go through as we do His work. Everything we do, every person we meet, is part of God's plan to transform us into the image of His Son. Job knew in his heart that he had done nothing to merit such anguish. Yet, God was using the storm in Job's life to teach Job about Himself. When all the cards were laid on the table - Job passed the test. No matter what accusations Job's friends hurled his way - Job knew in his heart that he loved God. No matter what came his way - he didn't blame God for it. Granted, he knew that all God had to do was speak and his circumstances would be changed. He hungered to sit with God face to face because he knew in his heart that if he did that God would be merciful and Job was right. Job also went through a time when no matter which way he turned he couldn't experience God's presence. When God is preparing us for a new level in our relationship with Him, we will often go through a similar time. Many great men and women of God have written that we must stay on the same course God placed us on until He gives us new instructions. That is exactly what Job did, even when his friends were not so friendly. What are you going through? Do you feel that God has abandoned you? Do you feel like throwing in the towel or do you know someone else who feels that way? Well, don't throw in the towel yet and encourage your friend not to. Just keep on keeping on. Keep doing the right thing even when no one else around you is. Then, when the storm subsides you may just find that God will reward you just as He did His servant job. The best times of your life may be just around the corner! I cannot tell you the number of times I have wanted to stop this ministry or the number of times people have told me I should, but I just couldn't. Roger and I have paid money out of our own pocket and the IRS doesn't like that, but we just keep doing it! The storms are hard, but like Job, I'm going through. If we are going to shine like gold for God, we must go through the refiner's fire. Father, again I thank You for keeping Your Word fresh for us today. I thank You for the story of Job's life and how it encourages us in the here and now to press on in our journey. I know there is someone out there reading this today that needs Your embrace in a very real way. Touch them as only You can. Feed them with Your hope. Send one of Your messengers with a word of hope today. May You be pleased and glorified as we press on through the storms and the heat of the refiner's fire. ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] window live messenger: [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
