Ulfberht. No, that’s not a typo. It’s the name for a special type of Viking sword that far exceeded the quality of any other European sword of its era. Where other swords would shatter, Ulfberhts were able to bend and still keep their edge. This was a huge advantage on the field of battle, where one’s life depended on the quality of his blade. Modern-day researchers have discovered that what made these swords so special was the extreme heat in which they were forged. The high temperature allowed for more impurities to be removed, resulting in a far stronger and more flexible blade.
In Isaiah 48:10, God told His people, “I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” In this passage as well as others, such as Malachi 3:3 and Revelation 3:18, we see that God wants to purify and strengthen us. This is something we most likely desire for our lives until we realize that the agent He uses to accomplish this refining is suffering. It’s through hardship and difficulty, however, that God purifies us for His sake as well as our own (Isaiah 48:11).
The idea of suffering certainly may not be appealing at the surface level, but in digging deeper we can find true encouragement. This is because one of the most dangerous thoughts we can entertain during difficult seasons is the idea that our troubles serve no purpose and accomplish no end. We think we suffer for nothing. But in Isaiah, we read that this is not the case! The afflictions we face are not without meaning, for God in His love and power can use them to strengthen and refine our character. He can use them to create within us a resilient and unbreakable faith.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 12:37-50
More:
Read 1 Peter 1:7 and consider what trials and suffering can mean for your faith.
Next:
When have you had a season of hardship that strengthened your faith and character? How can you use your suffering to point others to God?
jim spillane on August 31, 2016 at 12:26 am
Peter – I think your devotional today ties in nicely with yesterday’s “Treasure That Lasts.” One thing that we can take with us to the next life is “a resilient and unbreakable faith”, a faith that Peter calls genuine. It has often been stated, and rightly so, that our Heavenly Father allows trials and tribulations in our lives from time to time because He knows that if we look at them correctly (that being from His point of view) we will learn so much more from them than we could ever learn from the comforts of prosperity. Is it because “easy living” could cause us to become “spiritually lazy” at times? Blessings to all who visit here today.
delandy on August 31, 2016 at 2:19 am
talking about suffering, i think it’s easier to endure when u know u have done everything right and your heart does not condemn you, but when you realize your suffering is a direct result of your own mistakes and choices, how do you handle that?
raptoreagle on August 31, 2016 at 3:26 am
Depends on the person.. some times, the opposite of what you described may be the case. Some people feel better if they have an idea “why” things happen to them and they get discouraged when it seems they are suffering for “no reason”.
Either way, the solution is absolute belief/trust in God… that he has washed all sins and paid the price with the blood of his son, that he knows why we go through hardship even when we don’t deserve to and he will make everything work out for our good at the end.
delandy on August 31, 2016 at 4:00 am
Thanks for Ur comment, and I also came to the conclusion that whatever it may be, Christ bore all the pain and punishment for sins we have committed and even the ones we are yet to and we really don’t have to suffer for our sins or mistakes another day… To God be the glory
Gary Shultz on August 31, 2016 at 6:25 am
Wow a lot of guys got up early this morning. Good to hear from you again Jim…..I will not go as far to say I’m unbreakable because I’m still human, but one thing I know is, suffering does come. It comes in different ways and lengths to different people. To me becoming stronger is to know God will not let His children go. Many illustrations in scripture show us the refining process, and it is for the gift intended. Will God ignore us, will He allow the “phat” walk just so we feel happy and miss the blessing suffering will bring? I don’t think so! When the large variety pack hits with all that suffering may bring, we do have the sure hope that all things will work together for good. Can we embrace suffering? Thanks Peter
sdwise on August 31, 2016 at 10:00 am
Gary & Peter, you will never know how encouraging you are this morning because you have confirmed what I have been praing and studying in God’s Word. I thank God for using you and for your obedience to the Holy Spirit to encourage others. Be blessed.
gagirllive on August 31, 2016 at 8:06 am
Amen, Peter. We need only look to the cross to know that suffering has great purpose. There was God working out His redemptive plan for us at the greatest cost to Him. Can He be trusted in our suffering? Yes! “He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8 : 32) May we hide ourselves in the love of God and believe that underlying our darkest trials is the opportunity for us to make much of Him. It’s hard for us to get there as we muddle through the pain, but if we die to ourselves, we will learn that all of life is for the praise of His glory. Praying today that He will be glorified through our suffering, friends. Thank you, Peter, for this encouragement.
bperez on August 31, 2016 at 8:06 am
Thank you dear Lord. Thank you for your “refining fire”. I came out better and closer to you. Blessing to everyone in the forum. Thank you Peter.
crossman61 on August 31, 2016 at 8:24 am
That’s an awesome topic Peter . And I like how you presented this most questionable reality we will all have to deal with some how , and sometimes in our lives . There is no doubt we will all go through , and experience some kind of suffering in this life . I know I have had my share of it , and I know its not over yet . I like the analogy of the unbreakable sword, (NAS) Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living , and active and sharper than any two-edged sword , and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit , of both joints and marrow , and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Gods Word is unbreakable, John 1;1 and in the beginning was The Word and The Word was with God , and The Word was God. The Word became flesh/Jesus . John 19:36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture . Not a bone of Him shall be Broken . I must say this is one of my favorite topics that is so hard to explain. When an unbeliever questions how can such a loving God, allow so much suffering ? it seems impossible to explain. Thank You Peter
gagirllive on August 31, 2016 at 8:40 am
I know what you mean, crossman61. Unbelievers (and most believers, I think) struggle so much with this concept. “If God is love, how can He allow suffering? If He is in control, why does He allow bad things to happen?” They conclude that He is either good but not in control or He is in control but not always good. It’s only in the beauty of the cross where we see the truth—love and suffering can coexist.
Tom Felten on August 31, 2016 at 8:37 am
Peter, I’m reminded of these words from Paul: “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3:10-11). When it’s our turn to suffer for being identified with Jesus, may we embrace with the unshakeable faith God provides—resting in our future hope in Him.
mtnlady on August 31, 2016 at 10:48 am
This segues well with this morning’s daily dose of Spurgeon.
minkjh on August 31, 2016 at 8:25 pm
The world cries out “who in their right mind would sign up for a deal like this!” I’ve known church members who, when faced with adversity, some of it extremely painful and horrendous, have taken to heart the advice Job received from his wife. We may not fully grasp what a holy God is working out through all that transpires, but Paul provides the explanation of His refining process to those who have been saved by grace. We rejoice in suffering knowing it produces endurance, which produces character, then hope which does not shame us because of God’s love for us. That’s a hope in the One whose suffering makes ours pale in comparison.
hsnpoor on August 31, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Isn’t it interesting that the high heat in which the sword is forged produces not just a stronger weapon, but also one that is more flexible?
It has never ceased to amaze me how mankind looks to God as the author and cause of our suffering, when in fact we are the ones who are responsible and God is the one who saves us from ourselves. Talk about delusion, selfishness and ungrateful pride!
youssef1777 on August 31, 2016 at 9:51 pm
OUR LOVELY LORD WANT US TO BE THE BEST . NO MATTER PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE IN OUR LIFE . HE WANT TO MAKE OUR FAITH STRONG AND LEARN TO BE WISE . TRUST IN HIM .HE WILL NOT LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US . I LOVE YOU MY LORD AND SAVOIR JESUS CHRIST . GOD BLESS ALL .
hsnpoor on August 31, 2016 at 9:56 pm
Isn’t it interesting that the higher temperature in which this sword is forged produces not just a stronger sword, but also one that is flexible? It never ceases to amaze me that mankind blames God as the author and cause of suffering in our lives when in fact WE are the ones who cause the suffering in our lives by trying to live contrary to & outside of the Will of God. How perfectly deluded, selfish and prideful is that? Thank you Lord for your infinite mercy and grace that saved and sustains a wretch like me!