Tailor-Made Crucibles

 Tailor-Made Crucibles

 

July 9, 2022

Larry R Evans

 

Introduction

 

Last week we began our study of this quarter’s theme, In the Crucible with Christ, with the twenty-third Psalm.  We discovered that the layout of the Psalm depicted a journey on a path. The path began with the assurance that the Shepherd provides for our needs, to His being with us through the trials of the dark valleys, and all the way with us to our home. When we arrive, the same Good Shepherd serves as the Royal Host. What a promise! It was the perfect introduction for our study for today.

 

This week’s study reveals the kinds of crucibles that we can face—at least four of them. As a reminder, a crucible is

a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures: the crucible tipped and the mold filled with liquid metal. 

A situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new: their relationship was forged in the crucible of war. 

It is possible to look at the difficulties in life from a morbid perspective: 

Hardships, loss, and pain are the price we pay so we can arrive at our home in heaven. Endurance, hanging on a little longer, is not an encouraging motive if that is all we have.  When isolated by itself even familiar Bible texts can sound gloomy. “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. (Rev. 14:12) 

To face our life that way will put a frown on most faces.

 The context of Rev. 14:12 does not deny the hardships but it places it in a framework of hope, confidence, and eventual joy.  Endurance, of course, but it’s the perspective that keeps them faithful –and no sheer determination.

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. . . . They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

Then later, 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”(Rev. 21:3-4)

 

Simone Weil, a French philosopher, reminds us that “We see either the dust on the window or the view beyond the window, but never the window itself.” – Simone Weil (Quoted by Philip Yancey, in Rumors of Another World, p.179

 

As we look at the four crucibles, it is important that we realize that our Shepherd may not always be seen but He is always there with us.

 

Crucible #1

The Angry Lion

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:9)

If we read these two texts together, it becomes clear that the enemy has one objective in mind: he desires to weaken and destroy our faith! In this crucible, how are we to respond to the threat of our faith.

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. (1Pet.4:7-11)

1.    Be alert and pray

2.    Love each other

3.    Offer hospitality

4.   Serve others

5.    Speak God’s words

 

 

Crucible #2

Sin as the Suppression of Truth

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness (Romans 1:18)

This suppression is clarified in verses 21-24.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

The truth that is being suppressed, according to verse 25, is “the truth about God.” When this is suppressed then the sinful desires are not only exposed, but they are also acted out. Note the progression:

 

1.    God is not glorified nor thanked (they did not ascribe to Him thought, affection, and devotion)

 

2.    The thinking becomes absurdly confused and foolish. (futile and their foolish hearts were darkened)

 

3.    The majesty of God exchanged for that which they, themselves, created.  (God is substituted for what man desires. “Mankind made himself his god in place of the true God.”)

 

4.   “God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts.” With the choice made to be independent of God, they lived the life of their choosing. 

 

5.    With the image of God put aside, they were given “over to shameful lusts” (Rom. 1:26). Paul then describes the practice of homosexuality.

 

The freedom they sought from God led to the suppression of truth. This crucible not resisted leads to enslavement. Their determination to be alienated from God led Him to release them to their “passions of dishonor” (vile passions).

 

Crucible #3

Revelation of Self

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says:

“See, I will refine and test them,

for what else can I do

because of the sin of my people? (Jeremiah 9:7)

The Lord was preparing a people, but it wasn’t only for their sake. Their witness would speak to those nations looking on. However, there was a problem. What God and others saw in His people did not convey the message God intended. Jeremiah names four obstacles to their being a witness (Jer. 7:24-28).  Sin had become so commonplace that “they do not even know how to blush” (Jer. 8:12)It all began with them not listening to God (7:24,26,27). 

 

1.    They were led by their evil hearts. (v.24)

2.    They refused to listen to God’s prophets. ( vv. 25-26)

3.    They would not obey/hear God’s word. (v.27)

4.   They were a disobedient nation They refused to change. (v.28)

 

The revelation of God’s will and purpose hit the Apostle hard!

 

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Rom. 7:14,15)

The spiritual writer, Oswald Chambers, wrote: 

“If the Spirit of God brings to your mind a word of the Lord that hurts you, you can be sure that there is something in you that He wants to hurt to thee point of its death.” My Utmost for His Highest, p. 271

Ellen White wrote in The Ministry of Healing, p.471

Trials and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their characters better than they themselves know them. He sees that some have powers and susceptibilities which, rightly directed, might be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these persons into different positions and varied circumstances that they may discover in their character the defects which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to assail them that they may be purified.

Crucible #4

Reminders of Our Dependence 

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (2 Cor. 12:7)

We don’t know what the “thorn” was that caused distress for Paul. We do know that he prayed at least three times to have it removed (v.8)! The Lord’s answer was reassuring, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul would always have enough grace to outweigh the difficulties inflicted by the “thorn.” Paul did have the assurance that God was aware of human pain.  God provides the grace we need to bear such things. We like Paul should boast in the magnificent power of God that sustains and preserves us (2 Cor 12:9-10).

Sin has subjected humanity to inexplicable diseases, hardships, and tormenting pains. As long as we are on this sinful earth, believers are not exempt from these predicaments (cf. Luke 13:16). They test our persistent faith and love for Christ. But we are assured of the ever abiding presence of Jesus Christ amid uncertainty and hopelessness (cf. Matt. 28:20b).  (Andrews Bible Commentary, New Testament, p. 1682)

God knew what was best for Paul. Here the issue is not faith but rather the will of God.  God is not only good when things are going well for us but He is also good to us in the midst of our loneliness and suffering.

 

As we recognize our limitations, we will depend more on God for our effectiveness rather than on our own energy, effort, or talent. Our limitations not only help develop Christian character but also deepen our worship, because in admitting them, we affirm God’s strength.

 

Reflections in Summary

 

Over three hundred years ago the Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, observed, 

“God has been pleased therein to twist interests with us, so that in seeking his glory we really and effectually seek our own true interests.” – Philip Yancey, Rumors of Another World, p.134

In the midst of suffering, pain, loneliness, and discouragement, we must ever remember that when God called out, “Adam, where are you?” it was Adam who hid, not God! Jesus, the Great Physician, sees our sins not as disqualifiers but as the reason for His journey from another world to ours. Rescue is God’s business.

 

It has been said that 

afflictions can serve a most useful purpose in keeping us from mistaking this life as our time of rest. If we fall too much in love with the world, afflictions rudely break the spell. (Ibid., p.217)

 

The strength to be content with life during trouble comes not from begging God to change our circumstances but by letting Christ live His life through us. Jesus called this "abiding in Him."

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. -- John 15:4

There is no question. We will find ourselves in different crucibles—tests of our character. We are promised victory if we but abide in Jesus and He in us regardless of the circumstance.