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God’s FurnaceIsaiah 48:10“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Job 23:10 “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Why does God allow His children that He loves to go through fiery trials? I believe part of the answer is He knows He can use them for our good and His glory, to make and mold us into His likeness. That likeness is holiness. All of us need refining. We need for that which is bad to be purged out of us. When one is refining or purifying gold ore they will heat the gold ore to remove the impurities. The furnace of affliction is never an easy journey but if one submits their heart to God, there will come forth a heart purer for Christ. Listen to what the Bible says in 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” Do you find yourself in God’s furnace? If so, know it is being used by God to refine you. By faith you can trust the Master. He knows just how hot the furnace needs to be. He knows what impurities need to be drawn out of your heart. Trust Him and you will come forth as gold.