I Shall Come Forth as Gold
August 13, 2007Our thoughty thought for today comes from A. W. Pink’s Comfort for Christians.
“I shall come forth as gold.” Observe the tense here. Job did not imagine that he was pure gold already. “I shall come forth as gold,” he declared. He knew full well that there was yet much dross in him. He did not boast that he was already perfect. Far from it. In the final chapter of his book we find him saying, “I abhor myself” (Job 42:6). And well he might; and well may we. As we discover that in our flesh there dwells “no good thing,” as we examine ourselves and our ways in the light of God’s Word and behold our innumerable failures, as we think of our countless sins, both of omission and commission, we have good reason for abhorring ourselves. Ah, Christian reader, there is much dross in us. But it will not ever be thus.
“I shall come forth as gold.” Job did not say, “When he hath tried me I may come forth as gold,” or “I hope to come forth as gold,” but with full confidence and positive assurance he declared, “I shall come forth as gold.” But how did he know this? How can we be sure of the happy issue? Because the Divine purpose cannot fail. He who has begun a good work in us “will finish it” (Philippians 1:6). How can we be sure of the happy issue? Because the Divine promise is sure: “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:8). Then be of good cheer, tried and troubled one. The process may be unpleasant and painful, but the outcome is joyous and sure.
“I shall come forth as gold.” This was said by one who knew affliction and sorrow as few men have known them. Yet despite his fiery trials he was optimistic. Let then this triumphant language be ours. “I shall come forth as gold” is not the language of carnal boasting, but the confidence of one whose mind was stayed on God. There will be no credit to our account:the glory will all belong to the Divine Refiner (James 1:12).
For the present two things are certain:first, Love is the Divine thermometer while we are in the crucible of testing: “And he shall sit [the patience of Divine grace] as a Refiner and Purifier of silver,” etc. (Malachi. 3:3). Second, the Lord Himself is with us in the fiery furnace, as He was with the three young Hebrews (Daniel 3:25). For the future this is sure:the most wonderful thing in heaven will not be the golden street or the golden harps, but golden souls on which is stamped the image of God; “predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son”! Praise God for such a glorious prospect, such a victorious outcome, and such a marvelous goal.