The hardness of metal makes it difficult to bend into any shape we want. Once forged into the proper shape with fire, however, that same hardness is what makes metal so useful and reliable. In the same way, God uses fire to forge our faith into the specific shape he desires. This week we see how God forges our faith in the fire of holiness. It’s natural for us to want to put our trust in our own efforts and our own performance. When confronted with the absolute holiness of God’s expectations for us, however, such confidence is shown to be unreliable. Once our confidence in our own efforts has melted away, however, God’s Word points us to the Savior who came to be holy in our place. God shapes our faith to be directed only at him.