Job 23:10

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:!0

He is the crucible in which he lays the gold
He is able to withstand the heat of the flame
Steel
Graphite
He is wholly fireproof

The blazing fire heats up the entire room
The blue flame is directly placed on the soul
Melting
Boiling
Oozing with imperfection

The process takes time and patience - He is not rushed
He sits on the floor with His gold - He sits and waits
Testing
Purifying
Until it reflects His face

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my inspiration

Through these months, acceptance has been a word of liberty and victory and peace to me. But it has never meant acquiescence in illness, as though evil circumstances were from Him who delights to deck His servants with health. But it did mean contentment with the unexplained.

Hardly a life goes deep but has tragedy somewhere in it: what would such people do without Job? And who could spare from the soul’s hidden history the great words spoken to the Apostle Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Such words lead straight to a land where there is gold, and the gold of that land is good.

Gold – the word recalls Job’s affirmation: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

The picture of the Refiner is straight from Eastern life. The Eastern goldsmith sits on the floor by his crucible. For me, at least, it is not hard to know why the heavenly Refiner has to sit so long. The heart knows its own dross.

“How do you know how long to sit and wait? How do you know when it is purified?” we asked our village goldsmith.

“When I can see my face in it, ” he replied.

Blessed be the love that never wearies, never gives up hope that, even in such poor metal our Father may at last see the reflection of His face.

Amy Carmichael, Rose From Brier, p. 3.