“When I act….” Isaiah 43:1-13, Malachi 3:1-4. WBC 30/3/03 am
There was group of women in a Bible study group studying the book of
Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse
three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement
meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to
find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at
their next Bible study.
That week this women called up a silversmith and made an appointment
to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for
her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining
silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over
the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one
needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were
hottest to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding
us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse, that he sits
as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in
front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man
answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to
keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the
silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith,
"How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh that’s easy. When I see my image in
it."
-If today you are feeling the heat of this world’s fire, just remember
that God has His eyes on you.
WHEN YOU PASS… (v2)
There’s 2 promises and 1 reaction in this bit. The first promise is:
1) When you pass… walk through the water and fire
It’s a bit like fasting. Not IF you fast, but WHEN you fast
- it’s WHEN you walk and pass
I guess this is a promise of Scripture!
Acts 14:22 We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,
We are not spared testing, uncertain and difficult times as Christians
- in fact, we’re promised them
And we’re not to see them or receive them as useless, painful events
- rather: fire and water that purifies- events that make us look more like Jesus
o develop our souls
- or CAN develop our souls. (ie it’s a choice, can embitter us)
other promise is:
2) I WILL be with you
Do not fear.
I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you
- even if you feel it! (you, today?) cf Footprints?????
?One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him, and the other belonging to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
Lord, you said that once I decided to follow You,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome
times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me.
The Lord replied "My son. My precious child,
I love you and would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you." Author unknown
And the waves WILL NOT sweep over you and the fire will not harm you
= like 2Cor 10 “God will not give you more than you can endure”
- listen: you can… will be able to handle it. Whatever comes your way
- I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much. - Mother Teresa
2 promises- 1 reaction encouraged here:
- it’s not the reaction of the Israelites panicking as they cross the red sea
- or the disciples panicking in the boat during the storm
(even though God had His way with both! End commended but not the reaction)
It’s the reaction of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo that’s commended and pictured, here
- them in the fiery furnace. But not burnt. Not overcome. “Fearing not” (v1)
o Not alone! (who’s with them?)
- And their attitude to fire and water!!!
o DA 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
2 promises: trials and refining, His presence
1 response: I will not fear. My God is able to deliver - but even if He doesn’t….
WHEN IN THE DESERT
Now what of when it’s not fire and water- but rather the dry desert of Babylon or spiritual despond/depression?
- well. 2 promises. One reaction encouraged
The 2 promises are: like the water and fire
- seasons of life are part of life
- seasons of the soul are part of the spiritual journey
o times when, if you’re honest, you feel you’re dry, lost it, faith flagging
fire/water… deserts… oasis are party of ‘life’s rich tapestry’
- so if you feel you’re in Babylon’s deserts… trying to get back to green Canaan
o God is faithful! NOTHING has befallen you apart from that which is common to man
But there is one reaction required- when you’re in the desert, feeling fearful of ever recovering
You do what YOU can
- there are some things only God can do.
o How and when He might deliver you, bring spring/life is hard to:
- dictate, predict, presume
(unless God speaks to you v clearly)
o It’s a bit of one of those mysteries… unknowns… ‘sovereign God things’. He acts when HE acts!
o Any promises that I make on God’s behalf may prove misleading/disappointing- FALSE.
JER 8:20 "The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.
- but there are many things YOU can do… MUST do….so that you play your part… prepare the ground.
o Illustr: only God knows where the Oasis are (in the desert). But YOU must be walking out to find them. That you CAN do. Provide the water and spring rains- you can’t
- Illustr: most theologians think that the Bab exile was a dreadful and wonderful time for the Jews. During it their spirituality was refined, purified- drawn out by sure need to survive. During it they learned afresh about sacrifice (as they couldn’t make any!). About prayer (as they were so persecuted in doing it). About their traditions and inheritance (as Babylon threatened to sweep it all away).
- It was like pruning a rose-bush. The result was ACTUALLY more fruit
- Then, of course, when they DO come out (Nehemiah)- there’s a whole new rededication to the Word and holiness
Is God allowing you the desert because it’s time to
- regain your Christian distinctiveness. Holiness
- learn?
Here’s what YOU can do
1) Check the desert isn’t of your own making
- maybe not. Possibly not. But this is where to start
Are you in the desert because of
- unbelief? disobedience? Sin? Cynicism? Reluctance to ‘move on’? Unforgiveness? Idolatry?
- choice, even
o maybe it’s not of your own making- but you are keeping yourself there
the exit path is clear. But you aren’t walking out.
Cage is open! But YOU are keeping yourself there
2) Take steps to walk out of it
“But the journey’s to big! Spiritually, I’m nowhere!”
- well, are you going to give up??
No! The journey of 1000 miles starts with one step
All of us must ask “what is my next STEP”
- to get back to God. Closer to Jesus. Out of this desert
- (hang on! You’re fobbing me off! My problem is REAL FIRE not spiritual desert! I drowning in real life water! My life situation is the root trouble, not spiritual depression
o ah! But the solution is the same!
o = Jesus. Getting close to Him
o “I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me”
o I have food you know nothing about (Is 55))
You may not know the answer to your situation
- but you know a man who does. His name is Jesus
So- what’s your ‘next step’ to life, getting back, serious, renewed?
c) Back to basics
Actually- I’m going to tell you what it is even if God doesn’t. because He has, in here
- REV 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen!
- (and what’s the answer)
o Repent and do the things you did at first.
In this context- what did the Jews do?
- I’ve explained. They went back to the basics
So- what do we do?
- back to the basics. But with a renewed seeking
o back to clearing the clutter from our heart and lives. Idols
repenting of it. Renouncing it
keep your life from sin & your heart from
• disobedience, disbelief, idolatry, pride, fear, divided loyalties
o back to prayer. Worship- in life, and together
hang around with +ve Christians!
Fasting?
Next step in basics of baptism. (many folks want to be filled/touched but if not prepared to take these basic steps you’re not v serious are you?)
2 promises:
1- life’s ups and downs 2- spiritual ups and downs
1 response- you do what YOU can to get out of it. Take steps. Next step
WHEN I ACT (v43)
Here’s the point of this passage. These guys had spent SO long in Babylon (70 years) that they couldn’t imagine being delivered out of it
But they’d done their part. Learned their lessons.
- returned to doing the right things. Basics. Holiness. Word. God (us: Jesus)
- they had persevered (that’s what you do in the desert, really!)
- had got refined. Purified. Stripped down. Found out where their foundation was.
Now it was time for God to act. HIS time.
When you have sought God- there will come a time when GOD will act
- and there’ll be no stopping Him. “When I act, who can reverse it?”
’God is seldom early, never late’
In fact: His timing is perfect
They are a lean-mean- God-loving machine. Purified. Taught. Ready for action
- and so will you be!
- Let your faith rise up. May God let you know that he will do it when YOU are right.
- And v 9ff is in there to encourage them… us of His greatness
o That He CAN.
ISA 43:10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
ISA 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.
ISA 43:12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed--
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.
ISA 43:13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"
