It is well known that the craftsman of a blacksmith centers on the shaping of steel and wrought iron with fire, water, anvil, and a hammer. In ancient times, iron was referred to as “black metal” and thus those who created objects from this black metal were dubbed as “blacksmiths.” The process of this magnificent art is commonly known as forging and according to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia, it “is the process of shaping metal and increasing its strength by hammering or pressing” (Britannica Online Encyclopedia). Undoubtedly, the forge (or furnace) is of utmost importance to any blacksmith for without it he cannot smelt the iron in order to be able to shape it. The anvil (a heavy steel surfaced block) provides the smith with a solidly secured surface where he can lay the sweltering steel that he is about to mold, and the tongs allow him to maneuver his masterpiece into shape as he hammers away. Once satisfied with the mold that he has created, the smith then takes the black metal and proceeds to temper it by quenching it in cold water. This, he repeats several times until his masterpiece is complete and he is satisfied with the quality of his craftsmanship. From tools like nails, plows, and axes to decorative household objects like furniture and candlesticks, all were possible to be made through the hammer and forge of the blacksmith. Thus, learning about the smith’s skill, it becomes difficult not to view the Lord God as the Master blacksmith when Paul expounds “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ But in a great house there not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the later, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2nd Timothy 2:19-21, emphasis added). The inspired Peter concurs with Paul’s comparison as he encouraged his fellow persecuted brethren, “in this you greatly rejoice, that now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1st Peter 1:6-7, emphasis added). Observe that like the blacksmith God, too, makes use of a spiritual forge, anvil, and hammer to mold man’s faith. The trials man endures in life are like the forge that the smith uses to smelt mankind’s iron will. This reality is proven by the Lord as He exhorts “Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 46:8-11, emphasis added). The inspired Hebrew poet unveils the blessing of those who trust in the Lord through this entire Psalm. It manifests that those who have true faith are those who rely on Him and not their own wit. It must be noted that the poet exhibits his faith in Jehovah God by being still, because he knew God. In his anguish, he turned his gaze the the Almighty with full assurance “that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, emphasis added). Verily, the apostle Paul’s exclamation emulating the Hebrew poet’s reliance upon God also illustrates that this spiritual maturity was developed through trial and error. The faith that came from above was increased by Him as He consistently revealed Himself in the midst of tribulation. This revelation is what the apostle referred to as he taught Timothy that “the solid foundation of God stands” (2nd Timothy 2:19a). Recall that the anvil is necessary to provide stability for the blacksmith to be able to shape the steel. David concurs that man will find that security in God through these fiery trials for he pens, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statues” (Psalm 119:71, emphasis added). Peter echoes this valuable lesson by advising “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same suffering are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1st Peter 5:8-10, emphasis added). It is wise to keep in our minds present that Peter, too, was being targeted by an entire empire as he drafted these words, inspired by the Holy Ghost. Thus, his encouragement is a testament of how his endurance evolved from the man who denied Christ three times out of fear to openly confessing Him in spite of death. The reality that it is Peter who is speaking these words, demonstrates how God had forged the apostle into the powerful ecclesiastical leader he became. Indeed, the apostle to whom the keys of the Kingdom had been granted, was transformed by the mighty hammer of God, for Scripture queries, “‘Is not My word like a fire?’ says the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” and confirms, “let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God isliving and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Jeremiah 23:29 and Hebrews 4:11-12, emphasis added). The progression of Peter’s faith was undeniably forged through the anguish he endured for the sake of the Gospel, like Abraham, too, progressed. Remember that the purpose for hammering the hot iron is not only to shape it, but also to increase its strength. Thus, Scripture validates once more that “as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17, emphasis added). To be continued…