Polish Comes Through Trouble
God's refining process, though painful, produces beautiful results and prepares us for our purpose.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the concept of being polished by God's refining process, using the analogy of pebbles on the shore being shaped and smoothed by the relentless waves. He emphasizes that just as the pebbles become beautiful through turmoil and attrition, God shapes and refines us through life's challenges to fulfill our purpose and calling. Cowman encourages trust in God's plan, believing that He knows the work we are meant to do and will prepare us accordingly, even through the hurts and struggles we face.
Text
"He hath made me a polished shaft" (Isa. 49:2).
There is a very famous "Pebble Beach" at Pescadero, on the California coast. The long line of white surf comes up with its everlasting roar, and rattles and thunders among the stones on the shore. They are caught in the arms of the pitiless waves, and tossed and rolled, and rubbed together, and ground against the sharp-grained cliffs. Day and night forever the ceaseless attrition goes on--never any rest. And the result?
Tourists from all the world flock thither to gather the round and beautiful stones. They are laid up in cabinets; they ornament the parlor mantels. But go yonder, around the point of the cliff that breaks off the force of the sea; and up in that quiet cove, sheltered from the storms, and lying ever in the sun, you shall find abundance of pebbles that have never been chosen by the traveler.
Why are these left all the years through unsought? For the simple reason that they have escaped all the turmoil and attrition of the waves, and the quiet and peace have left them as they found them, rough and angular and devoid of beauty. Polish comes through trouble.
Since God knows what niche we are to fill, let us trust Him to shape us to it. Since He knows what work we are to do, let us trust Him to drill us to the proper preparation.
"O blows that smite! O hurts that pierce
This shrinking heart of mine!
What are ye but the Master's tools
Forming a work Divine?"
"Nearly all God's jewels are crystallized tears."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Refining Process
- A. God shapes us through trouble
- B. The result is a polished shaft
- II. The Purpose of Refining
- A. To prepare us for our niche
- B. To equip us for our work
- III. The Value of Refining
- A. It produces beautiful results
- B. It produces jewels that shine
- IV. Trusting in God's Refining
- A. Trust Him to shape us
- B. Trust Him to prepare us
Key Quotes
“Polish comes through trouble.” — Charles E. Cowman
“O blows that smite! O hurts that pierce This shrinking heart of mine! What are ye but the Master's tools Forming a work Divine?” — Charles E. Cowman
“Nearly all God's jewels are crystallized tears.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We can trust God's refining process to shape us and prepare us for our purpose.
- The result of God's refining process is a polished shaft, a beautiful and shining jewel.
- We should trust God to equip us for our work and prepare us for our niche.