In the Smithy’s Hands – the Joy in being Reshaped by God
The blacksmith worked the metal over and over. He heated it iIt was a joy to watch him at work. n the forge until it was the exact shade of red he desired, turning it over repeatedly to ensure the heat was even.
He brought it out and pounded it relentlessly. Turning it this way and that, he hammered it again and again. Back into the fire it went, and the process was repeated. After pounding it roughly into the shape and size he wanted this time, though, the smith quenched the metal in a bucket of oily water. Once the steam stopped rising and the water stopped bubbling, the smithy took the piece out of the bucket, put it back on the anvil, and repeated it several times.
Each time the steel was heated, hammered and cooled, it became more resilient and stronger. He shaped and reshaped it. When the lengthy process was complete, the form of a knife appeared. The blacksmith polished it, ground an edge on it and set it into a beautiful elk antler handle.
What had started as a piece of rusted, discarded railroad spike was now a valuable and beautiful tool to be treasured.
God is the ultimate smithy. He takes broken, useless lives and, by carefully working them over time, creates someone of beauty that will be a blessing forever.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3
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 1:6-9
For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:10-12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
Your trials may look different than mine, but we all go through them. Sometimes, we must endure a test repeatedly as the Lord reshapes and strengthens us for His purpose.
There have been times when we just got out of the flames, and the hammering started. The blows cease, and before we can catch our breath, it’s into the smoky water. We wonder if the cycle will ever end.
Becoming a Christian does not guarantee a life of ease and comfort (despite what some prosperity gospel preachers teach.) It can be a road fraught with dangers, and there will be trials and tribulations along the way.
Rest assured, there will be an end to the trials. Rejoice to know that each has been designed for you because God has a purpose that only you can fulfill.
Just like that rusty piece of scrap steel that no one would have looked at twice was shaped to become useful and beautiful, God will take our lives, once destined for eternal torment and shape us into beautiful living stones in his eternal temple.
What a fantastic, humbling privilege.
I don’t know what you face today, but I encourage you to hold fast. God is still in control, and He has plans for you. The tears may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5b paraphrased).
Rejoice. Be blessed
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).