I want to draw your attention to Ezekiel 22:18-22 where Israel is compared to “dross.” Dross, generally speaking, is something regarded as worthless or garbage. More specific to this kind of use, dross is foreign matter or mineral waste on the surface of molten metal. Throughout Scripture, God uses the metaphor of a refining fire to talk about the discipline of His people, speaking of trials and suffering as a way to remove the dross. This reminded me of a popular parlance, “no pain, no gain.”
I’ve always thought that there’s a lot of truth to this statement. If you’re strength training and you never push yourself to failure, you won’t get stronger. If you’re working on your character and you never suffer consequences, your character likely won’t change. If you’re learning something new and no one ever addresses your erroneous knowledge, you won’t get any smarter. For better or for worse, we learn through failure and consequences. Now, to be clear, this isn’t the only reason we face suffering and trials and pain in this world, but it is a reason for it. The refining fire isn’t comfortable, but it does help remove the dross.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
God works to refine us and to bring us closer to His will for our lives.
Instructions for Us
We should strive to learn from our suffering instead of just wallowing in it.
Biblical Connections
This story does not directly connect with other parts of the Bible, other than being part of a continuous story.
Laborious Understandings
Nothing in these verses strikes me as particularly difficult to deal with.
Enjoyable Passages
None of these verses stand out to me as particular favorites and putting any of them on a wall would probably require thinking of them out of context.
Topics to Pray About:
Thank God for His discipline
Confess to God the times that you have refused to learn from suffering or trial
Ask for God to open your eyes to the lessons He’s trying to teach you
No Pain, No Gain
Ezekiel 22-23
I want to draw your attention to Ezekiel 22:18-22 where Israel is compared to “dross.” Dross, generally speaking, is something regarded as worthless or garbage. More specific to this kind of use, dross is foreign matter or mineral waste on the surface of molten metal. Throughout Scripture, God uses the metaphor of a refining fire to talk about the discipline of His people, speaking of trials and suffering as a way to remove the dross. This reminded me of a popular parlance, “no pain, no gain.”
I’ve always thought that there’s a lot of truth to this statement. If you’re strength training and you never push yourself to failure, you won’t get stronger. If you’re working on your character and you never suffer consequences, your character likely won’t change. If you’re learning something new and no one ever addresses your erroneous knowledge, you won’t get any smarter. For better or for worse, we learn through failure and consequences. Now, to be clear, this isn’t the only reason we face suffering and trials and pain in this world, but it is a reason for it. The refining fire isn’t comfortable, but it does help remove the dross.
Today’s B.I.B.L.E. Takeaways:
Blessings from God
God works to refine us and to bring us closer to His will for our lives.
Instructions for Us
We should strive to learn from our suffering instead of just wallowing in it.
Biblical Connections
This story does not directly connect with other parts of the Bible, other than being part of a continuous story.
Laborious Understandings
Nothing in these verses strikes me as particularly difficult to deal with.
Enjoyable Passages
None of these verses stand out to me as particular favorites and putting any of them on a wall would probably require thinking of them out of context.
Topics to Pray About:
In His Service,
J. LeBorious