Though the old body may not be back to something resembling normal for another two or three months, what has been the purpose of all this? What do I think God has been up to?
When the psalmist in 66:10 spoke of being purified as silver is, the image is one of heat that brings everything to the surface that is not silver. And that is about all that can be seen by us—surface stuff. The ways of God are so far beyond our finite minds. But this also ties in with God’s discipleship process in Hebrews 12:1-17. He is out to purify us, or as He says in vs. 10, make us holy. But then He says there is a peaceable fruit of righteousness that follows the purification process. This is something far deeper, richer, and more satisfying than I can find anywhere else.
For the past two or more years I have been praying a prayer of David from Psalm 86:11: “Give me an undivided heart that I may fear You.” What is it worth to have an undivided heart? How important is it to learn to love, want, and fear God more than anyone or anything else? What is the worth of your soul? In Hebrews 12:14 we read that “without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Seeing the Lord appears to be on at least three levels: seeing God in the present situation, seeing things the way God sees them, and eventually seeing Him face to face.
That helps me see there is an eternal perspective in the present situation. God is working in me now but for eternal purposes. What is more important than seeing God at all three levels? What is worth more than that? What is it I treasure now more than His work in me—treasures that one day will be gone forever?
An undivided heart is truly worth more than I realize or can see right now. And the fruit of it far surpasses anything that is not “pure silver.” The song says it well:
Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, And nothing I desire compares to You.
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