The six hundred men with David were part of the group we read about in 1 Samuel 22. When David was fleeing from Saul in the wilderness, men who were discontent, in debt, and distressed gathered around David. David used these rag-tag renegades as the base of his army. And this group is a perfect picture of us. We are in debt, distressed, and discontent - yet we find ourselves gathering around a Greater-than-David, the Son of David, Jesus Christ. These men were transformed into a crack unit of excellent troops. Because they were around David, they became like him. And because they endured real difficulties and tribulations with David, they formed into a tight group of loyal, capable soldiers.

We, too, gathering around our Greater-than-David, Jesus Christ, endure trials. But those very trials produce in us abilities and capabilities for service.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

In Bible times, gold was purified by melting it to a liquid state. The smelter knew the purification process was complete when he looked into the liquid gold and saw his face. But until he could see his face, he kept the heat on. What’s the Lord doing in our lives? He’s keeping the heat on until we become a reflection of Him, until we are formed in the image of His likeness.

You might wonder why you’ve had some fiery, heavy trials. Know this: You’re precious. You’re gold. And the Lord says, “I’m going to purify you so that My reflection might be seen in you, so that when people see you, they’ll see Me.”