"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."

MALACHI 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."

This verse puzzled some during a book study, and they wondered what this
statement meant about the character and nature of Jehovah. One sister
offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the
group at the next book study.

That week, the sister called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch
him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest,
beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and
let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the
silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn
away all of the impurities.

The sister thought about Jehovah holding us in such a 'hot spot,' and
then she thought again about the verse that says 'He sits as a refiner
and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front
of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. He answered yes, he
not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on
the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a
moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The sister was silent for a moment, then she asked the silversmith, How do
you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled and said "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If, today, you are feeling the 'heat of the fire' of Satan's persecution.
..remember that Jehovah has his eye constantly on you, and will keep
watching you until He sees His image in you.

Right now, this very moment, some dear brother or sister needs to know that
Jehovah himself is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through,
He will be vindicated, if they remain faithful.