[[-SOAP HUB]] [[-Zechariah Overview]] [[Zechariah 13]] ## Title: Purification Through Difficulty ## Scripture: (Zechariah 13:9) “Then I will bring the remaining third into the fire; I will refine them like silver is refined and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name and I will answer; I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”” (NET) ## Observation: I heard someone say that it is common for people who have massive heart surgery to go through a season of experiencing nightmares during the recovery process. It is so terrible and so common that there are support groups for people recovering from heart surgery. The groups are focused toward dealing with the mental strain. It is important to realize that the body does not understand the experience it just endured as a surgery that saved its life. All it knows is that something catastrophic happened. The body was opened, the heart was exposed, and now things are different. The body does not know the difference between a catastrophic accident and a life-saving surgery. Therefore, it almost short-circuits in a way. Eventually, it begins to heal and recover. I think we are all like that when it comes to difficult seasons. We cannot always tell the difference between bad things happening and bad things bringing about God’s ultimate good for His glory and our recovery from the effects of sin. It’s only later that we look back and see it was all for His good. ## Application: Is there a place in your life where God is doing more good than you probably see right now? ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for always doing more than we can see.