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Fire is the best way to purify gold. When all the impurities are gone, you have 24-karat gold — the most valuable grade! One day, Jesus spoke of the value God places on his children. He said, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. The very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Jesus alerts his followers that, yes, some will go through the fire of testing. But they need not fear the test; it is designed only to burn away impurities. What remains is the pure gold that is of great value to God. Jesus also says we need not fear the fire because God, the refiner, carefully watches the process — so closely that He keeps track of the exact number of hairs on our heads. God’s children are extremely valuable to Him. That old hymn says it well, “When thru fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace all-sufficient shall be your supply. The flame shall not hurt you—I only design your dross to consume, your gold to refine.” God looks out for His children because they are extremely valuable to Him.
