I have always like the song, "Refine Me" by Jennifer Knapp. I am not sure if it was always the lyrics that drew me in or just the soft, gentle nature in which she sang them but as I happened upon it today in my shuffled music list, I was instantly drawn to it again. I "knew" the lyrics but I decided to take a moment, look them up, and really take time to take them in and process what they were saying to me. As I read through the lyrics, I wondered where she might have been inspired from in the Bible. I went to trusty ole "Bible Gateway", typed in "Refine" and found a TON of verses on "refining" and more specifically, silver refining.
(some of my favorites listed below...)
I started to think about the process of refining silver and other metals and decided to do a little research and this is what I found...
The process of metal refining takes a lot of time and a LOT of heat. The metals are held into the hottest area of fire in order to burn out all of the impurities and thus make it a "pure and refined" metal. The silversmith has to sit through the entire process, ensuring that the metal isn't over or underheated. He is there to sort of protect the silver, to watch over and guide it along in the refining process. (btw- there are some cool gold/ silver refining videos on YouTube)
And pray, and pray, oh I (we) will pray
"I come into this place
Burning to receive your peace
I come with my own chains
From wars I've fought for my own selfish gain
You're my God and my Father
I've accepted your Son
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?
Lord, come with your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Refine me
My heart can't see
When I only look at me
My soul can't hear
When I only think of my own fears
They are gone in a moment
You're forever the same
Why did I look away from You
How can I speak Your name?
Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You
It's all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I will pray
Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You
Refine me, refine me
Refine me, refine me"
(some of my favorites listed below...)
- Psalm 12:6
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. - Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. - Daniel 11:35
Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. - Malachi 3:3
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...
I started to think about the process of refining silver and other metals and decided to do a little research and this is what I found...
The process of metal refining takes a lot of time and a LOT of heat. The metals are held into the hottest area of fire in order to burn out all of the impurities and thus make it a "pure and refined" metal. The silversmith has to sit through the entire process, ensuring that the metal isn't over or underheated. He is there to sort of protect the silver, to watch over and guide it along in the refining process. (btw- there are some cool gold/ silver refining videos on YouTube)
How often do we ask God to Refine us? To hold us in the fire to rid us of all of our impurities? Do we want to trust in Him or would we rather continue to trust in ourselves and "our own selfish desires"? Becoming a Christian always starts out so easy, we accept Him and *BAM* our world is supposed to change... but what if it doesn't? What if we still succomb to worldly pleasures (as will happen...)? What are we to do when we feel so empty and far from Him? He doesn't come and then leave us but is waiting by to refine us... to mold us into something more beautiful that we can imagine... but we get so caught up in "us" that we sometimes miss those moments.
"It's all I (we) can do To give my (our) heart and soul to YouAnd pray, and pray, oh I (we) will pray
I want to be refined. I want the best to come out of me. I know I can't do it on my own... I have tried and I have failed. I pray He will continue the process of refining me and I can't wait to see the beauty that will be there once His process is complete.
Refine Me
Jennifer Knapp
Refine Me
Jennifer Knapp
Burning to receive your peace
I come with my own chains
From wars I've fought for my own selfish gain
You're my God and my Father
I've accepted your Son
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?
Lord, come with your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Refine me
My heart can't see
When I only look at me
My soul can't hear
When I only think of my own fears
They are gone in a moment
You're forever the same
Why did I look away from You
How can I speak Your name?
Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You
It's all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I will pray
Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You
Refine me, refine me
Refine me, refine me"
9:45 PM
Thanks for the thought-provoking post, I had actually forgotten all about that song and am glad you drew my attention back to it once again! I LOVE it! Always good to be challenged to look at things differently and push ourselves further in our faith.
10:11 AM
there is a certain vulnerability involved when one is refined. but the end result is rewarding.
thanks for posting.