Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.
Daniel 11:32-35
The enemy can easily turn those who refuse God’s covenant to his purpose by flattering them into believing they are the elite who know what to do. It is harder to twist those who have a relationship with God that makes them strong and capable. Those who know Him and His ways can even teach others to follow Him even in the midst of enemy’s attack. When those who know Him do fall, they still receive the help of being in relationship with Him while those who know about Him will be fooled. Even those who understand what is going on are occasionally allowed to fall to purge them for the end-times.
We applaud when we hear of those who are strong and carry our great exploits. We hope we are one of those. At least I know I do. Yet what of those who fall for the purpose of purification. How do we respond to the scrubbing the hard times of life bring us. Can we see the refining God has in store for us or do we only feel the pain? Once I had to have a minor surgery that was very painful. I was conscience for the entire event. The doctor kept checking in with me to see if the pain was too much. He had a syringe of Novocain at hand to alleviate any overwhelming pain but I was expected to tolerate some pain and trauma during the procedure. The doctor asked me how I was staying so calm during the surgery when it was obvious that it was hurting. I told him that I was focused on the goal not the process. He was hurting me on purpose. I knew the pain was for the short-term and that the long-term results would be less pain over all as well as an improvement in the quality of life. Are we willing to “fall” for refinement, or must our life roll out easily before to prove His love for us?
Refine Me, O Lord,
Pastor Jason
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