“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested {to examine} you in the furnace of affliction.”-{Isaiah 48:10}.

God is intimately, personally involved in your life and the spiritual development of it. One tool He uses is “the furnace of affliction.” Trust and yield to Him in such times. He is not out to destroy but to develop,and display Himself to and through you. Know “the furnace of affliction” is not outside His knowledge or control, compassion or care for you. “…afflictions are chosen and appointed for the people of God, and they are chosen for and appointed unto affliction, ( Job 23:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:3 )”-{ John Gill}

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”{1 Peter 4:12}
* He Designs The Furnace of afflictions -{1 Thess 3:3}}
* He Develops IN the Furnace of afflictions -{Romans 5:3-5;James 1:2-5}
* He Displays Himself TO you and THROUGH you In Furnace afflictions-{John 6:6}
* He Determines the Length, of each Furnace of Affliction.-{1 Peter 5:10}
* He Dispenses His comfort to you and equips and commissions you to comfort others in their afflictions with His comfort -{2 Cor 1:4}

“Nature teaches us this so well:

  1. A lumberman occasionally jabbed his sharp hook into a log, separating it from the others that were floating down a mountain stream. He let’s pass the trees that grew in a valley where they were always protected from the storms. Their grain is coarse. The ones he hooks and keeps apart from the rest come from high up on the mountains. [From the time they were small, they were beaten by strong winds. This toughens the trees and gives them a fine and beautiful grain. They’re saved for choice work. They’re too good to make into plain lumber]
    1. God often allows some of His dearest saints to be bent by trial or buffeted by the winds of adversity so that they may be strengthened for His service and prepared to fulfill His highest purposes!
  2. The queen bee lays each egg in a six-sided cell which is filled with enough pollen and honey to feed upon until it reaches a certain stage of maturity. The top is then sealed with a capsule of wax.
    When the occupant has exhausted its supply of nourishment, the time has come for the tiny creature to be released from its confinement. But what wrestling and straining it endures to get through that wax seal. The opening is so narrow that in the agony of exit, the bee rubs off the membrane that encases its wings.Thus, when it finally does emerge, it is able to fly!
  3. Oyster & Pearl – (A sand irritant gets in, nacre kicks in, a pearl begins)
    1. An oyster which has not been hurt does not grow a pearl –For a pearl is a healed wound! ” “-{Brian Bell Commentary}

“I have refined you… I have tested you …in the furnace of affliction.{suffering}”-

“…I have Tested you in the furnace of affliction.”

“But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”- ( Job 23:10)