I Have Refined Thee
The sermon 'I Have Refined Thee' encourages listeners to trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of suffering, and to surrender to His refining process, which is for our good and makes us more like Christ.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about unwavering trust in God even in the midst of afflictions and suffering, drawing inspiration from Job 13:15 and Isaiah 48:10. She emphasizes the refining process through afflictions, highlighting the assurance that God's love is constantly at work for our salvation. Tileston encourages surrendering all troubles and afflictions to the Lord, trusting in His wisdom to use them for our good and growth.
Text
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.
JOB 13:15
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
ISAIAH 48:10
I WILL not let Thee go; Thou Help in time of need!
Heap ill on ill, I trust Thee still,
E'en when it seems that Thou wouldst slay indeed!
Do as Thou wilt with me, I yet will cling to Thee;
Hide Thou Thy face, yet, Help in time of need,
I will not let Thee go.
WOLFGANG C. DESSLER
YOUR afflictions are not eternal, time will end them, and so shall ye at length see the Lord's salva.tion; His love sleepeth not, is still in working for you; His salvation will not tarry nor linger; and suffering for Him is the noblest cross out of heaven. Your Lord hath the choice of ten thousand other crosses, beside this, to exercise you withal; but His wisdom and His love choosed out this for you, beside them all; and take it as a choice one, and make use of it. Let the Lord absolutely have the ordering of your evils and troubles, and put them off you, by recom.mending your cross and your furnace to Him, who hath skill to melt His own metal, and knoweth well what to do with His furnace.
SAMUEL RUTHERFORD
Sermon Outline
- Trust in God's sovereignty
- God's love is constant and enduring
- Surrender to God's sovereignty
- Let Him have control over our afflictions
- Trust in His wisdom and love
Key Quotes
“Heap ill on ill, I trust Thee still, E'en when it seems that Thou wouldst slay indeed!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“His love sleepeth not, is still in working for you;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Let the Lord absolutely have the ordering of your evils and troubles, and put them off you, by recom.mending your cross and your furnace to Him, who hath skill to melt His own metal, and knoweth well what to do with His furnace.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Surrender to God's sovereignty and trust in His wisdom and love to work all things out for your good.
- Remember that God's refining process is for our good and makes us more like Christ.
- Trust in God's love, which is constant and enduring, even in the midst of suffering.