“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
We all, at one time or another, to one degree or another, get to taste from life’s bitter cup. But despite the blows we receive, by the grace of God, the fountain of our heart can stay sweet. This is one of God’s greatest and most glorious miracles. It is the witness of the Spirit of Christ to a watching world. It prompts the confession of astounded centurions that we are the children of God.
Either God’s grace is sufficient for anything we face, or it is not. There are certain tragedies and traumas the world does not expect us to survive. They would fully understand if we cursed God and died. But when God allows us to be touched by trouble He is entrusting us with a great opportunity to prove men and devils wrong.
Job didn’t understand so much about the calamities that befell him. But what he did know is that when he came forth from it all he would be as gold. God saw the same end.
What is God expecting of you and me? Will the refiner’s fire produce gold? Will the world marvel at our beauty? Will devils be disappointed? Will we make God proud? He expects all these things to happen. He has given us greater grace in His Son than Job ever had. Christ is our hope of glorious gold tried in the fire.
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich …” (Revelation 3:18)