Devotional
The Dross Purged
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Zechariah 13:9
Grace transmutes us into precious metal, and then the fire and the furnace follow as a necessary consequence. Do we start at this? Would we sooner be accounted worthless, that we might enjoy repose, like the stones of the field? This would be to choose the viler part: like Esau, to take the pottage, and give up the covenant portion. No, Lord; we will gladly be cast into the furnace rather than be cast out from thy presence!
The fire only refines, it does not destroy. We are to be brought through the fire, not left in it. The Lord values His people as silver, and therefore He is at pains to purge away their dross. If we are wise, we shall rather welcome the refining process than decline it. Our prayer will be that our alloy may be taken from us rather than that we should be withdrawn from the crucible.
O Lord, thou triest us indeed! We are ready to melt under the fierceness of the flame. Still, this is thy way, and thy way is the best. Sustain us under the trial and complete the process of our purifying, and we will be thine for ever and ever. – C.H. Spurgeon
This Week
Nepal Appeal
This is a note from the Ulster Mission Board.
𝗡𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 – 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗔𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹
Nepal’s death toll has exceeded 1,000 after last week’s devastating floods, and officials say over 4,000 are missing. Rescue efforts continue despite the heavy rains and risk of further flooding.
In conjunction with our partners in Nepal, the Ulster Mission Board have now launched an Emergency Aid Appeal to provide aid for the area. It is planned that our friends in Kathmandu will travel to the affected areas and distribute aid, including tents, rice and other food and blankets. Your help in providing the necessary funds will be greatly appreciated as we try to do all we can to help the needy people of Nepal.
You can donate by marking your offering envelope “Nepal Appeal” or add a note to your E-Transfer. (offering@torontofpc.ca)
Thank you for your support for this needy cause.
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord…” Proverbs 19:17
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