Proverbs 17:3
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The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
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Silver and gold are prepared for use by purifying them in hot fires. The heat burns away impurities and base metals to leave pure silver or gold, fit for the craftsman to make a beautiful piece of jewelry or decorative object (25:4). Only the LORD can prove and purify our hearts in a similar way, through the fiery furnace of afflictions and trials.
Men prove, assay, or refine the precious metals silver and gold. But they cannot prove, assay, or refine the heart of man. They use a fining pot for proving silver, and they use a furnace for refining gold, but the heart of man is neither accessible nor improvable.
Man's heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. No man can truly know the impurities in his own heart (Jer 17:9-10). So the LORD tries the hearts to reveal what is there, and He rewards according (I Kgs 8:39). No man can escape the flaming eyes of Him with Whom we have to do (Heb 4:12-14; Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12).
The Bible speaks often of God refining His saints (Job 23:10; Is 1:25). Jesus came as a Refiner; His fire burned up His enemies and purified new priests for offering acceptable sacrifices (Mal 3:1-5). The fiery trials He sends may make our hearts heavy, but they make our faith stronger (I Pet 1:6-7). He brings His people through the fire to perfect them (Zech 13:9). And from them He chooses His jewels (Mal 3:16-18).
The LORD can quickly find what is in your heart. He knows your worst fears, your strongest temptations, your secret fantasies, your weakest moments, your trigger points, and the sins that easily beset you. He can prove, assay, or refine you easily. Tremble before Him! Worship Him! Humble yourself before He humbles you!
He uses the furnace of affliction to try our faith by adversity (Is 48:10). He uses the furnace of infirmity to build our reliance on His grace (II Cor 12:9-10). And He uses the furnace of temptation to measure our obedience (Gen 22:1-2; Heb 11:17-19).
With wisdom, we should rejoice in fiery trials, knowing they are perfecting us (Jas 1:2-4; Rom 5:3-5). We will recognize their great profit, not consider them strange, and even pray for God to examine and prove us (Ps 26:2; 119:67,71,75; I Pet 4:12).
How can gold be found without fire? How can it be purified without heat? Only by the Lord's fiery furnace are we purged of secret sins, fear of man, attraction to the world, pride, trust in others, love of others, self-righteousness, and other dross. Only by the furnace is our faith, love, and hope purified. The process is painful; the results are glorious. Dear reader, submit your heart to His fire (Ps 139:23-24).
The LORD is the most skilled of refiners; He will not lose one ounce, one dram, or one grain of His gold in the furnace. Trust Him, afflicted child. His trials will end in mercy (Ps 66:8-17); His chastening is in tender affection (Heb 12:10-11; Rev 3:19).
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