Promises of the Chosen: Just as Silver and Gold

On By kaleenashai

Personal reflection of God’s word… “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Isa. 28:9-10)

Part 2

Isaiah 43:1-26 Series: Chosen, Redeemed and Restored

Promises of the Chosen: Just as Silver and Gold

(Isaiah 43:2)

According to the dictionary, a promise is a declaration or an assurance that one will do that which they said or that a particular thing will happen. To then declare it, means to make a formal and explicit statement or announcement regarding the promise.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.” – Isaiah 43:2

In this passage, we are explicitly assured that in this life:

  1. We will encounter hindrances and barriers, far greater than ourselves.
    • We will endure these great challenges, for a time.
    • We will overcome these difficult obstacles, and leave them behind us.
    • All the while, God will be with us.
    • We will never be left alone.
  1. We will encounter forceful opposition, much greater than ourselves.
    • This powerful opposition will not consume us nor defeat us.
  1. We will encounter resistance that is unpredictable, aggressive and destructive.
    • With caution and wisdom, we will confront our antagonist(s).
    • We will patiently endure the tension.
    • Though tried and tested, we will not be consumed, overcome nor destroyed.
    • We will remain intact and no lasting mark will be left on us.

We are given the promises of waters, rivers, and fire. These are transformative elements. Water is heavy, burdensome to bare and difficult to move. Rivers are forceful, slowly destructive and resistant to change. Fire is as mentioned above, unpredictable, aggressive and capable of swift destruction. Fortunately though, these elements also possess positive attributes, equally fitting. The mention of waters and rivers will return in verse 20, revealing a positive purpose for them. For now, let us consider what positive benefits fire affords us – those in Christ who walk according to the Spirit (see part 1 of this study).

The bible points out that God is able to take a situation meant for evil, turn it around, and use it for good.

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” – Genesis 50:20

Fire also has the ability to take the state of one thing and reshape it into something visibly distinct from its original form, so that its last state appears far different than the 1st state. God permits us (expects us) to go through difficult and challenging situations to grow us, shape us, and mold us into the person He created us to be. We were predestined to fulfill a purpose and a calling suited to His will, to bring glory and honor to Him and His kingdom. He does not allow us to remain as “Jacob.” He renames us, “wrestles” with us, and transforms us. He refines us.

“I will bring the one-third through the fire,
Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them.
I will say, ‘This is My people’;
And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ” – Zechariah 13:9

Who brings us through the fire…through the heat, the resistance, and opposition? The devil? No. God does. God does not produce our problems, but He does require that we face them as they come. He did not say to flee the fire, but to decisively walk through the fire with his protection and provision. He will bring us through it – we do not go at it alone.

We are as precious metals to God. Precious metals are only useful if they are refined and shaped into something that can be used.

Just as a metal is refined, we too must have all our impurities removed. For this,

  1. The metal must be melted. We must be broken down, made flexible, and fully submissive.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” – Psalms 51:17

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” – Psalms 34:18

  1. Air must be introduced into the molten metal. God’s Holy Spirit must enter into us.

“in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:22

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” – Romans 8:11

  1. The metal must experience various fluxes (the process of flowing).
    • We must not become stagnate. Be flexible and keep moving forward.

Then, the impurities are to be extracted…all unrighteousness (Romans 1).

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Finally, the metal must be tested. “…The righteous God tests the hearts and minds.” – Psalms 7:9

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests the hearts.” – Proverbs 17:3

“For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.” – Psalms 66:10

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” – 1 Peter 1:6-7

So, although we are continually faced with obstacles and challenges, forceful opposition, and seemingly devastating circumstances, we are assured that God will be with us, making a way for us to overcome. Even though we “wrestle with God,” the name Israel also promises that we will “prevail triumphantly with God.”

Ultimately, God desires the “genuineness of our faith.”

Check out Part 3…

Isaiah 43:3 – “The Price of a Life”

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