The Refiner's Fire

I was ore dug from the mountain, just a rock with iron veinsFull of dross and full of stubborn, full of pride and full of stainsBut the Smith picked me up anyway and turned me in His handSaid, "There's a sword inside of this," though I didn't understand

Then He laid me in the coals where the fire's burnin' whiteAnd I cried out, "Lord, how long?" — and He sat by me all night

It's the refiner's fireIt ain't there to burn you downIt's burnin' off the drossTill the steel inside is foundAnd He never lets the fireGet hotter than you can stand'Cause the Smith who holds the hammerHolds you in His other hand

Then the hammer started fallin', and it fell on everythingLost my job, then lost my father, then my health gave out that springEvery blow I thought would break me, and I begged Him for an endBut He was foldin' strength into me that I couldn't comprehend

Then He plunged me in the water, and the steam rose like a cryAnd I came out harder than I went in — and I finally knew why

It's the refiner's fireIt ain't there to burn you downIt's burnin' off the drossTill the steel inside is foundAnd He never lets the fireGet hotter than you can stand'Cause the Smith who holds the hammerHolds you in His other hand

A prophet sat in Liberty Jail, forgotten and aloneCried, "O God, where art Thou?" through the cold and through the stoneAnd the answer that came back to him is the one I've understood"All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good"

It's the refiner's fireAnd I'm walkin' out of it wholeHe made weak things become strong in meAnd He forged it in my soulNow I'm ready for a battleThat I never could've stoodIf He hadn't held me in the fireTill the steel was good

They say the Smith knows it's finishedWhen He can see His face in the steelSo leave me in the fire, LordTill Your image is revealed