“For you, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.” Psalm 66:10. (NKJV).
She fisted her hands on her hips. Sigh. This tray would be sticking its tongue out--if it had one. It'll take a special silver polish and lots of elbow grease to bring the silver to its gleaming potential. The silver, the same as the day it was bought, now showed its lack of luster, black with tarnish.
The tray didn't move but absorbed the elements, not able to clean itself. To be cleaned, someone who was able and willing had to do the job.
Like my life. In this world, I come in contact with all sorts of pollution be it physical, mental or spiritual. The tarnish builds effortlessly. I need Someone to cleanse me of my tarnish (sin).
Then Jesus came. He knew I couldn’t remove the tarnish. Oh, I could act nice for a while but not long. I'd soon fall back into my old ways.
The Lord Jesus allowed sinful tarnished man, who thought he could follow the law, to nail Him to the tree. Though darkness seemed to win, a marvelous thing happened. The Lord Jesus took the curse of tarnish with Him and nailed it to the cross.
His arms are open wide. For you and for me. He wants to gather us up and love us so we can love others. Other tarnished ones who need to know the Savior who cleanses them, makes them new. Sometimes its an overnight miracle but mostly, it's a work in progress.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus took the tarnish, no matter how deep the stain, and nailed it to the cross so I can come to Him. He paid the price. He cleans my life so I reflect Him. He loves me with an everlasting love. Do you want to be cleansed and loved for eternity? He waits for you.