"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (Isa. 48:10)

Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yes, is it not an asbestos armor, against which the heat has no power? Let the affliction come━God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayest stride in at my door; but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou mayest intrude; but I have a balsam ready━God has chosen me. Whatever befall me in this vale of tears, I know that He has chosen me.

Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not, for I am with thee," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in "the furnace of affliction."(Gen.26:24) ━C. H. Spurgeon

Pain's furnace heat within me quivers,

God's breath upon the flame doth blow;

And all my heart in anguish shivers

And trembles at the fiery glow;

And yet I whisper, "As God will!"