For His Glory, I Am Tested in the Furnace of Affliction
May 19, 2026
“Isaiah 48:9-11 “For My name’s sake I will defer My anger, And for My praise I will restrain it from you, So that I do not cut you off. 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.”
Reflection
22nd April 2024, Monday During last Friday’s small group, I had talked about the good tree bearing good fruit and the bad tree bearing bad fruit. That was how we could tell between a true prophet and a false one, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:18-20: 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. I then asked if my heart was right with God, because the judge in the IPP case had ruled against me, saying that I was untruthful and he did not believe me. Was I bearing bad fruit without realising it? I was not asking for affirmation from the small group, but to say that I wanted God to search my heart and to reveal if there was any wicked way in it, so that I may be led in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). I thank God that even as I asked the Holy Spirit for an answer, He showed me Hebrew 4:12 tonight (rhema): For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Indeed, what has God’s Word been doing in my life? It has guided me and given me peace. It has pointed out my sins and led me to repentance. In both the cases of IPP and NSG, my conscience is clear. Jesus was with me in court for IPP’s case and I had sworn an oath on His Word to tell the truth. If and when the judge calls me a liar, I know my God will defend me for His name’s sake. He is holy and my righteousness comes from Him – this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, by His grace, when Jesus died for me (Isaiah 54:17). With my pride, I had sinned. I had not considered the Lord in my career and family for many years and God was right in testing me in the furnace of affliction. Yet, even so, for the sake of His name and glory, He will protect me because I am chosen, a child of God and a co-heir with Christ (1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:16-17).
Application
First, we recognise that salvation belongs to the Lord, not by our works. When we receive the Holy Spirit by His grace, our hearts and minds will be transformed and we will bear fruit for His glory. We align our hearts daily with our Lord's by daily prayer and meditation on His Word. We empty ourselves in order to be filled with His Spirit - we must decrease and He must increase. Ultimately, we are not called to defend ourselves. For His name's sake and for His glory, God the potter will test us in the furnace of affliction and will prove us worthy vessels for His service. Am I prepared to surrender all to Him?
Thank You, Lord, for loving me and assuring me of the outcome of my trials. The outcome will glorify Your name. Praise be to You always! Amen!