The Process of Refinement

Scripture Reading

Psalm 71: 9-10, 19-21

9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. 10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? 20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

Devotional

Although Psalm 71 is labeled as “An Old Person’s Prayer,” it’s relatable to anyone who is in a vulnerable situation. Here, we see a man pleading to God to not leave him when he’s at his weakest – in old age. His enemies know that he is weak and are planning to take him out. In spite of these circumstances, the writer continues on to acknowledge God’s greatness and ability to not only restore his life, but increase his honor while comforting him.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your circumstances have you in a compromising position and you just don’t know how you’re going to make it through? It reminds me of the old saying “when it rains, it pours.” Sometimes it just seems like when you’re down, your enemies come out of the woodwork to kick you a little more. You want to get up, but it feels impossibly difficult. In fact, you discover that you just can’t do it on your own. You need God.

What we also learn here is that God doesn’t always prevent bad things in our life from happening, but he does help us get through them and can use your circumstance to spur spiritual growth and demonstrate his goodness and faithfulness when you are delivered. In this way, God is making you into something greater than you were. He is using your circumstance to refine you. In fact, God is sometimes compared to a potter. Jeremiah 18:6 says:

6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

I don't know if you've ever tried to make pottery, but the thing about it is that it’s a seemingly chaotic process. You have clay that you’re trying to mold while it’s spinning around and you have to make sure that you add enough water at the right time to get it to take its desired shape. That’s a wonderful image, right? Imagine God sitting there with an amazing vision of your purpose and he’s adding a little bit of his life-giving water to you at the perfect time to continue to transform you. So, what’s missing from this imagery? The clay has to go into the fire to finish. That is to say, the finishing process of being put in the kiln is absolutely critical. Once that clay emerges from the kiln, it’s now ready to be put to use. It’s solidified, strong, and ready to serve its purpose. What was once a formless blob, is now a truly wonderful creation.

There are going to be times in our life when we’re at our weakest point and we may feel a lot like a blob of clay on the potter’s wheel. Life is just spinning us all around and things don’t seem to be getting any better. Then at some point the pressure of life’s circumstances seem unbearable. In this moment, I encourage you, no matter how crazy it may seem, to thank God for what he’s about to do. Because right now, you are in the kiln and that means you’re not a blob, you’ve been shaped and are being prepared for greatness. Let’s pray.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for being a God that never leaves my side. Sometimes life can be so hard and I just can’t do it alone. I pray that you will be here with me through my struggles. Help me to see you in my kiln-moments knowing that you have great plans for me. When I’m at my weakest point, I know I will come out stronger and greater than ever by your goodness. I praise you in advance because I know your plans and will for my life are perfect. In Jesus’ name, Amen.