The Lord doesn't take the dross from the furnace of our heart
continually, otherwise there would not be enough dross to take and some of the
gold would be taken with it. Seeing as it is the gold that is precious in His
sight and that the purification of our faith is His goal, it would be
counter-productive to do it continually.
Yes, we are continually pruified, but even a rose, if it is to
produce a pleasing bud, must be pruned in-season, not on a whim. Rather, the
Lord allows for the dross to accumulate and, from a willing and obedient heart,
take it in one fell swoop: minimising the pain and maximising the benefit. Why
submit a believer to continual disaster and trial? For most of us, the only
thing that will reduce will be our faith - not our impurity. He knows our
frame; he remembers that we are but dust. But if our faith appears to shrink
then perhaps that faith was leavened with something that only fire can winnow:
perhaps a hidden conceit or false premise – what we thought was genuine has now
been made to be false in the crucible of His fire.
Thus there is a rhythm to His dealings; there are seasons and we
cannot force his hand - nor should we. If this were the case, we would be
trying to purify ourselves - not the Spirit of Holiness. We are the dumb
waiters in all this: hidden and a thoroughfare for all kinds of linen, laundry
and food.
However, there is the trial of Job that looms like a mount out of
the darkness. I do not say we shall all take that path, but the closer you walk
with Him the closer that Mount gets. Abraham took it with Isaac and the Lord
took it with His cross.
As He walked, so must we.
