Definition: And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 13:9. It's a really beautiful and hopeful message about God’s care for His people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that God intends to help his people grow stronger and more devoted. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And I will bring the third part through the fire…” : This refers to a period of hardship, testing, or challenge. Think of it like a trial. It’s not just about bad things happening; it's about something that pushes people to grow and become better. “The fire” represents this intense testing – a time where we really need to strengthen our faith and commitment. “…and will refine them as silver is refined…” : This is a powerful metaphor. Silver is incredibly valuable, pure, and beautiful. Refining silver means making it even more precious and valuable by removing impurities and polishing it. God is essentially “polishing” his people – cleaning away their weaknesses and mistakes so they can become more righteous and true to Him. “…and will try them as gold is tried…” : This compares the refining process to trying something in a very high-quality, precious metal like gold. Gold is incredibly valuable, and it’s only worth its value if you're truly worthy of it. This suggests that God intends to test his people – push them beyond their comfort zones – to see if they are truly committed to Him. “they shall call on my name…” : This means the people will begin to recognize and acknowledge God’s presence in their lives. They'll start to call upon him, to seek his help and guidance. “…I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” : This is the core of the message. God is declaring that he is their God! He’s acknowledging them as His own, and they are recognizing Him as their ultimate authority and source of everything good. So, putting it all together: God intends to use hardship and testing – a period of “fire” – to help his people grow stronger and more dedicated. He'll carefully examine them (like refining silver), pushing them to become more committed and recognize His presence in their lives (like calling upon Him). Ultimately, he’s promising that God will bless and reward them with a deeper relationship with Him. It's a message of hope and assurance. It suggests that even when things are difficult, God is working for good in his people – guiding them toward a greater understanding of His love and purpose. Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Give some examples of challenges or tests that might be part of this “fire”? Explore the meaning of the phrase "the LORD is my God" in more detail?