A Diamond in the Making — Beauty, Strength, and Hope
Week Thirty-four
August 17, 2025
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
— 2 Corinthians 4:8,9
Not only are diamonds beautiful, they are also strong.
Weeks, months, years of pressure and heat produce a strong substance, one that will not crack under stress; one that will display its beauty with longevity, dependability, and goodness; one that will reflect the Creator’s goodness and glory. In the Master’s hands, the strong and tempered diamond is cut and polished, refined to display beauty and strength. Of course, I am referring to us. But why? Why all of this suffering to form a thing of beauty?
For his glory and to his credit.
We are his creation, his workmanship. We are made to affect others as we reflect and refract his image and his beauty and show forth his strength. And therein lies hope. In the midst of our trials, testings, and sufferings we are free — exhorted in fact — to look forward to the “finished product.” You will come forth strong. You will come forth beautiful. And you will glorify your Father. Beauty from ashes, diamonds from dust.
We are set free to exemplify what true life really looks like. A day is coming when, like a diamond, you will rise to display the marvelous fruit of the good pleasure of God that he has worked within you. He sets the captives free, he looses the prisoners from their prisons and breaks all their chains. And in his timing, at just the right time, he brings forth his word to heal and deliver. He is the faithful God.
We can look up from the depths, for the day of our redemption is drawing near. We can look up out of the fiery furnace from where we are being refined, formed, tested and tried, and proven worthy in him. We can look up to see his faithfulness, his steadfastness. Saints, our day is coming, the day we will rise from these ashes as a diamond plucked from the rough.
And solace will come to soothe your soul. Increase will come — spiritual fruit. Wait for it, clinging to him, trusting in him, adhering to him. Jesus came to bring freedom to all who have been oppressed by the devil; and we once were, but now we are lights. Here is our hope: the God who created us is with us and continues to form us until that day when we will shine as jewels in the diadem of our worthy Savior, Jesus Christ.
Monday
August 18, 2025
“So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
— Luke 21:28 (NLT)
Have you ever felt heavy-headed? You know, that feeling when you just want to put your head down and hide away from life like an ostrich? Maybe not. But here’s what I know: when it seems impossible to lift your head in hope, he is the lifter of your head. Can you pray that? “Lord, you are the lifter of my head, please lift my eyes to you.” When it seems that everything is coming at you from all directions — work stresses, relationship struggles, ministry woes, health burdens; he is able to make you stand. So look up. God has his answer prepared for you, but he asks that you stand and look up and watch. It will come, my friend.
What would you say is the hardest part about waiting? What do you think God may be working into you in the waiting?
Why do you think Jesus instructed us to lift our eyes in the middle of trial? What outcome can we expect from our looking to him in the trial?
Tuesday
August 19, 2025
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
— 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
The treasure we carry around in us is a changed life — a life transformed by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ; proof that he is alive and living in us. My body is just an outer shell transporting this diamond to glory where one day this jar of clay will be shattered to reveal the treasure within, finally perfected unto full beauty. Man’s way (and we see this in our culture and in legalistic religion) is to refine the vessel, to paint and beautify the outer clay jar; but God will not placate or play part in such ritual silliness. He targets the heart, and by his power, transforms it into a lasting treasure.
In what areas of your life is there opportunity for transformation? What rooms of your heart still need the Savior’s touch?
Do you agree with the statement that the treasure within us is a life changed by the Lord? How is God glorified in a changed life?
Wednesday
August 20, 2025
But He knows the way I take; When He has put me to the test, I will come out as gold.
— Job 23:10 (NASB)
It took Michelangelo four years, from 1508 to 1512, to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. It was a tortuous and arduous undertaking for the artist. At one point, part of the ceiling had to be repainted because of mold settling into the painting. Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor, not a painter; yet he accepted the commission, the result being that the ceiling’s frescos stand as one of the most recognizable and important works of art known today. Centuries later, Michelangelo’s God-given artistic genius still shines to awe visitors. When we come forth, the artistic work of our Maker, we will be on display as objects of his amazing grace for eternal ages to come. Our transformed lives will awe angels and bring praise to God’s glorious grace. We will come forth as gold.
How does knowing your future promises beauty and perfection impact your daily walk with God? How do you feel about the fact that one day you will be on display as an object of God’s amazing grace?
What similarities might your life have to Job’s? The God who made you knows you deeply; how does knowing this make your trials more purposeful?
Thursday
August 21, 2025
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
— Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
We see it weaved throughout scripture: God has a purpose and a plan. Samson’s life ended with a bang; David’s psalms stand strong today as a source of edification and joy; Mephibosheth’s handicap made him an object of compassion and elevated him to royal places. Scripture is not short on its stories of God’s purpose in peoples’ lives — stories of tragedy turned to triumph. And still, even today, we see God’s narrative play out in the lives of people, people like you and like me. You may not be a gifted psalmist or a buffed-out strongman, but God has not left your basket of good-works-to-do empty. Have you taken a peek lately into that basket?
If you were to write your life story what would its main theme be? What do you see in the next chapters of your life?
How has God used your weaknesses to write his strength into your story? How has he used your strengths to write his glory into your story?
Friday
August 22, 2025
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint …
— Romans 5:3-5a (NASB 1995)
Jesus has given us fair warning; we will face difficulty. But he has also held out before us a candle of hope, a light of encouragement: it doesn’t end with our trials. We ride victorious alongside the one who has already won. And that is why we can, as our scripture reflection instructs us, exult in our tribulations. We can celebrate because our troubles are guarantees, confirmations, that the Living One lives inside of us and is working in us. They are meant to bring us hope, not doubt; proof, not question. They are meant to show you that you are a diamond in the making.
Would you agree that our refining trials are proof that God is at work in us? Why, or why not? What does scripture say about loving discipline and hardship?
Why do you think it is that we are surprised when difficulty comes upon us? How can today’s scripture help you, even remind you, that God is at work in all things, good and bad?