Read Job 23—24
Today’s Scripture: He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10

God knew where Job was—in the furnace! But it was a furnace of God’s
appointment, not of Job’s sin. This is not the only answer to the question
“Why do the righteous suffer?” but it is one of the best, and it can bring the sufferer great encouragement.

Scripture often uses the image of a furnace to describe God’s purifying
ministry through suffering (Deut. 4:20; Ps. 66:10; Isa. 48:10). The image of believers going through the furnace of persecution is also used in 1Peter 1:6–7 and 4:12.

When God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much they can bear. We may question why He does it to begin with or why He doesn’t turn down the heat or even turn it off, but our questions are only evidences of unbelief. Job 23:10 is the answer: “He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Gold does not fear the fire. The furnace can only make the gold purer and brighter.

Something to Ponder
In what ways do you sometimes try to avoid the heat of “God’s furnace”?
Where does that resistance lead?