Once gold has been through the fire to remove “baser” metals, and has been through the hands of the goldsmith, whose creative skills adds beauty to the value, then it is put into use by the one who has paid the asking price for it.

Once the gold is refined and purified, it is ready for use. Oh, did you think that the fire and furnace were the whole story? “God pulled me out of the miry clay, cleaned me up, purified me, and set my feet on the rock to stay.” Sorry, but that is about as close to the full story as the idea of floating on clouds and playing harps for eternity describes heaven.

Have you felt as though you were going through the fire, because of the things happening in your life? Have things which happen to you and around you caused you to flare up, feel frustration, bitterness, resentment, anger, impatience? Has every turn through the day brought thoughts and feelings that you battle, fighting to keep those impulses and images from occupying your imagination and time?

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

Luke 14
v.12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 
v.13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 
v.14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The desire for fellowship is ingrained in us. We enjoy the give and take of company, conversation, good food. These are times that refresh us and sustain us. But it is not where we can safely or easily stay and dwell, any more than we can safely stay in bed all day and remain healthy physically and fiscally.

Whatever lie the enemy is telling you, remember this: God loves you!

Any thought that is in your mind that makes you feel further from God, unworthy or undeserving of His love and blessings, incapable of being in His presence and leads you to be separated from your King and His people, is from the enemy and is of his nature.