2. I will say to Eloah, Do not condemn me; make me know why You contend with me.
3. Is it good to You that You should crush, that You should despise the work of Your hands, and You shine on the counsel of the wicked?
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
Why Me?
Job’s Blessed Life
First, let’s examine Job, who serves as an excellent illustration of trials in the Bible. Job lived a peaceful, almost unbelievable life full of blessing, prosperity, and joy. Along with all his blessings, YAHWEH also placed a hedge of protection around Job, protecting him from the wiles of Satan and his efforts to kill, steal, and destroy. Job’s blessed life came to a screeching halt and was turned upside down as his blessed YAHWEH-protected life came into question in the heavens. Unbeknownst to Job, YAHWEH and Satan (the accuser) had a few conversations about him. As a result, everything in Job’s life became touchable by Satan except for his very life.
Job’s Trial Experience
Job, a man of great faith and righteousness, endured an excruciating amount of suffering and pain, all inflicted upon him by the malicious actions of Ha-Satan. The exact duration of his agony is not certain, with some speculating that it lasted for days while others believe it went on for months. Regardless of the timeline, it probably felt like an eternity for Job as he watched his life crumble around him. He lost everything he held dear, including his children, wealth, health, and even the respect of his community. To make matters worse, even his own wife lost faith in him and YAHWEH. As Job’s health continued to deteriorate, his despair only grew deeper, and he began to long for answers from YAHWEH. In Job 10:2, he expressed his yearning to understand why he was being subjected to such a trial of immense suffering and misery. Job wanted YAHWEH to reveal the reason behind his tragedies, to lay out all the cards on the table, and show him why he deserved to endure such a terrible fate.
Many of us ask Father the same types of questions. Why am I going through this? Did I do something to deserve this? Why me? Why, Why, Why!!!
12. Beloved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to try you, as though some unusual matter has befallen you,
13. but as you share Messiah’s sufferings, rejoice, in order that you might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His esteem.
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
There are many reasons why YAHWEH allows trials to come into our lives. But first, let me be clear, YAHWEH does not need to explain Himself to us because He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and the creator of the heavens and the Earth. Job learned this lesson when YAHWEH confronted him in Job 38-39. Nevertheless, through His Word (Bible), our loving Father provides insight into why trials come. Trials come upon us to purify, humble, create genuine faith, test, affirm our faith, show the power of YAHWEH, teach us to depend on Him, discipline, and show others that YAHWEH is dependable.
Obtaining Gold
But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous].
Job 23:10 (AMP)
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
Extracting Gold
Let’s consider the process of acquiring gold from start to finish and see how it mirrors or parallels our own lives. Gold is naturally formed deep within the earth, stuck in hard rock deposits, a place of little to no light. Extracting this precious metal requires the use of heavy machinery and the application of high amounts of pressure to dig it out. The gold and rock are then pounded and crushed into a fine powder and treated with harsh chemicals to separate them. Similarly, before we sought YAHWEH and Yahshua, our lives were stuck in the darkness of Satan’s hard, lightless, and cruel world. Through our Father’s love, He brought forth or allowed specific trials, pressures, or burdens to break us free from the hard rock deposits of this dark world and drew us into the light of His love and salvation. Yahshua told us, “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me…” (John 6:44 AMP).
Purifying Gold
Definition of Dross:
- Something regarded as worthless; rubbish.
Definition of Slag:
- Stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore.
The acquiring of the gold continues with the purification process, which involves smelting or refining to eliminate impurities, whether visible or not. Achieving this requires the gold to be subjected to high pressure and slowly heated temperatures exceeding 2,150 degrees Fahrenheit. Through a gradual increase in heat, the dross and slag (impurities, scum, or unwanted materials) come out and are removed. This process leaves behind gold in its desired form. Similarly, in a continued process after being brought out of this dark world, YAHWEH, through trial by fire, begins purification. He gradually turns up the pressure and heat to remove the dross and slag (works of the flesh) from our lives. These trials by fire also aim to increase our faith and build our trust in Him. These trials may come in different forms, from personal struggles to external challenges. However, being mindful of Satan’s attempts to derail us from the right path and bring us back to his fold is essential. He may use the trials we face as a tool to achieve his goals. Therefore, we must remain vigilant and steadfast in our faith, trusting that YAHWEH will guide us through our trials and lead us to a brighter future.
6. Rejoice in this, even though for a little while you may have to
experience grief in various trials.
7. Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yahshua the Messiah.
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
Selecting the Karat
The final stage of acquiring gold has arrived, the determination, selecting, or choosing the karat of gold. The karat measures the purity of gold and its hardness. Karats range from 6k-24k, and 100% purity is unattainable.
- 9k – 37% Gold – 63% Impurity Hard Gold
- 10k – 41% Gold – 58% Impurity
- 14k – 58% Gold – 41% Impurity
- 18k – 75% Gold – 25% Impurity
- 22k – 91% Gold – 09% Impurity
- 24k – 99.95% Pure Gold – Softes Gold
As we live out our faith and live for YAHWEH, He will grow us in faith through trials. Just like it is unattainable for gold to be 100% pure, humans cannot be perfect. Yahshua was the only person to walk this Earth in 100% purity and perfection, so we must strive to be like Him. Father does not want us at 9k, 10k, 14k, 18k, or 22k because they all have too many impurities and are too hard. Father wants us at 24k, which is pure, incredibly soft, and moldable.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
Conclusion
Having faith in Father and His trial process is of utmost importance when it comes to achieving success in the gold-making process of your life. Father possesses intricate knowledge about the exact temperature and duration required to obtain the desired outcome. Rushing the process can have detrimental effects on the quality of the gold (your faith). Therefore, it is vital to trust YAHWEH‘s expertise and have patience with the process, as He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and the creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
Other Scriptures of note:
- James 1:1-4
- Romans 5:3-4
- Hebrews 12:5-6
By: David Edwards