Refined
Like many young people around the country (wink!), my college semester is winding down. My graduate program has been grueling at times and has often felt like a fiery trial, but I am determined to complete the requirements, even if I have to claw my way to the finish line. On the other side is the reward signifying that I have come through all the testing and am equipped with the knowledge and experience to minister more effectively.
It is no exaggeration to say that I read the Bible differently now. Whereas I previously had a healthy appetite for the Bible, I now read with even more excitement and expectancy for the Holy Spirit to breathe life into the Scripture. David wrote these verses of praise as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and to the power, reliability, truthfulness, purity, and strength of His word.
As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is refined; He is a shield to all who take refuge and trust in Him. (2 Sam. 22:31, Ps. 18:31 NASB)
The word refinedmeans that which has been tried and tested. It is the same word used to mean smelt, the fiery process by which a goldsmith purifies gold. Every time you lean on God’s word, seeing if it will bear your weight, waiting to see if what He said is true and will really happen, God’s word will pass the test. Indeed, it has already been tested, refined, and has withstood the heat.
With this understanding of refining, let’s now look at this mention of Joseph from Psalm 105. This Psalm is a call to worship God for all of His mighty acts.
Remember His wonders which He has done …He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They forced his feet into shackles, he was put in irons; until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord refined him. (Psalm 105:5, 17-19 NASB)
These verses give us insight into what God was doing in Joseph’s heart during his long imprisonment in Egypt. Joseph was innocent of the charges that landed him in Pharaoh’s dungeon. But though the Lord gave Joseph favor, God did not bring his release for many years. I cannot imagine how difficult it was for him to endure day after day of shackles injuring his ankles and the iron collar bruising and breaking the skin on his neck.
Joseph remained in prison until two things happened: the time for Joseph’s words of prophecy came true, and the word of the Lord had refined him. Surely, Joseph’s imprisonment was a fiery trial, a refining that painfully removed impurities from his heart. It is worth noting that the very word of God that is itself refined was the thing used to refine Joseph.
When Joseph was released from prison, Pharaoh promoted him to second-in-command of all Egypt. Pharaoh confidently trusted Joseph’s leadership to organize and implement policies that would save millions from the predicted devastating famine. Moreover, God used Joseph to fulfill His word and promise to Abraham, then Isaac, and then Jacob, that Israel would become a great nation (Gen. 12:2).
Evidently, when Joseph went to prison, he was rough. Perhaps he was proud, self-righteous, and harsh. Maybe he was doubtful of what God had revealed to him in his dreams. Likely, he was angry at his brothers and longed to see his father. The bottom line is Joseph was unrefined.
Thank God for His word! “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12 NIV). God’s word is active to refine us: it divides, judges, and exposes what does not belong in our hearts.
So here is both an invitation and a challenge to dive into God’s word. Open your Bible not merely to read, but to be refined. It has already been tested and refined, and it can handle your questions, your wounds, your assumptions, and your expectations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity for the living Word of God to search you, test you, and transform you.