The Reflection of His Face

God regards our faith, though feeble,

Dearer far than precious gold,

Let us watch Him purify it, as His plans for us unfold . . .

He’s the Master Metallurgist; we’re the gold within the pot;

There’s a fire underneath to heat the metal till it’s hot.

As the metal turns to liquid, the impurities arise,

And He scrapes them from the surface and surveys it with His eyes.

He is searching so intently—there is something He must see

In the precious heated metal, as He works on you and me.

As the surface grows unclouded, see His gentle smile appear;

In His eyes there is a twinkle; an approving sigh we hear.

He has seen what He is seeking!  It is there!  But it is dim,

So the Master Metallurgist turns the fire up again.

And the process is continued, tempered well by love and grace,

Till He sees upon the metal the reflection of His face!

May your trust in His wise purposes give you grace to endure your present difficulty.

But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

. . . Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.  I Peter 1:6-7

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations:  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James 1:2-4