Friday, October 17, 2008

Favor of the Furnace

"The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Proverbs 17:3). "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king.... answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:23-25).

The silver has the fining pot,
The furnace is for gold.
But God refines each inner thought
Within the heart we hold.

The furnace may be tribulation
To draw our hearts in prayer.
It may include exasperation,
Or seasons of despair.

But there's no reason for despair,
For God is in control.
The Son of God is always there
To guide and guard our soul.

Behold the furnace and its favor,
And what it will impart:
God will thereby purge behavior,
Beginning with the heart.

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