January 22, 2023 PM
Michael Catt
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Controlled Burn
Malachi 3
I. THE PURPOSE
“By afflictions God is spoiling us of what otherwise might have spoiled us. When He makes the world too hot for us, we let go.” – Sir John Powell
II. THE PLAN
“He is not drowning His sheep when He washes them nor killing them when He is shearing them. But by this, He shows they are His own.”
– Richard Baxter
III. THE POSITIVE POINT
“He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” – Job 23:10
“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” – Proverbs 17:3
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
“Let me see what I have that will 'abide the fire.’” (She was reflecting on the sounds of an oak log burning in the fireplace.) The fire was letting loose the imprisoned music from the old oaks' inmost heart. . . . “Oh! I thought, when the fire of affliction draws songs of praise from us, then indeed we are purified and our God is glorified! Perhaps some of us are like this old oak log – cold, hard and insensible; we should give forth no melodious sounds were it not for the fire which kindles round us, and releases tender notes of trust in Him, and cheerful compliance with His will. . . . Singing in the fire! Yes, God helping us if that is the only way to get harmony out of these hard, apathetic hearts, let the furnace be heated seven times hotter than before.” – Charles Ray, writing about the life of Spurgeon’s wife in his book Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon (pp. 81-82)