Wait patiently for the Lord to work His will for your life. God is always working, cultivating, and refining His people in every different stage of life. In many ways, we are like trees and precious metals. There is a process to the growth and the refinement.
A fruit tree has many different seasons of growth. Each one has its own purpose and pressures. So also, the children of the Lord have to go through their seasons of development. The Lord has planted you and will grow your roots deep; spread your foliage to reach others for Jesus. But before that, He must prune those things in you that do not produce fruit. He does this so that you will be more like Him. Though it hurts, by His discipline, you can better serve others who need the love of Jesus, too.
The righteous is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Psalm 1:3-4
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
God is also testing and refining His people like silver and as gold, tested in the fires of affliction. He may be putting you through tribulation, tests, or fiery trials. But do not think it is punishment because it is refinement. It is for your good. It may be so incredibly hard that most people could never understand. You may not even know why you must go through such a crushing. But God knows and has a purpose for it all. In fact, it is necessary to refine your old sinful ways and cause you to live a righteous life.
Consider yourself and how you used to be, saved but yet not refined from your sinful ways. When you remained comfortable, did you run to the light of God to be wholly cleansed from your old ways? Most would confess they didn’t even realize how wicked they were and what sins remained unchecked. You would not be refined if it weren’t for the Holy Spirit’s pressing and His drive to go to your knees in repentance.
But praise God that He is in control. It was all for your good and benefit. He allowed all these hard times to cleanse, purify, and refine you when the pressing came.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3
“For my name’s sake, I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise, I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 48:9-11
Praise the Lord, for He is good. Praise Him and give Him thanks for every struggle. He could have cut you off. He could have left you for dead like so many others. But His incredible loving-kindness for His children is everlasting. It reaches far beyond the Heavens. It rises above all other things. It is paramount and supreme.
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3
Thank the Lord each time you find yourself pressed down, every time you go through any struggle or challenging time, and ask Him, “What lesson are you teaching me today, Lord? I know you are in control and have a plan and purpose for all of this for my good. Please help me in every way and every day to give it all into your hands. Give me your strength to endure. I know You love me and have a purpose for every pain. I trust Your perfect will.”
Whether you are growing and producing fruit for His kingdom now or God is putting you through the wringer. God is in control. His timing is perfect, and His refinement is precious. Keep your eyes on Jesus; He will accomplish great things with your life through the refinement of the Lord if you are patient to follow, wait, and obey Him in all you do.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this, you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
The Soul Sower 