April 21 – Heat That Purifies

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” – Proverbs 17:3 (ESV)

A crucible is a very specialized container that is used to heat metal to the point of melting it. It is a necessary step in the refining process of changing what is unusable into something usable and more valuable. Our verse speaks of refining silver and gold so that it can be suitable for other purposes. This proverb of Solomon teaches us that God allows us to be in the crucible in order to test us. One of the purposes of melting and refining is to burn away the dross and other impurities. It also is to form, shape and strengthen the metal. God does test our hearts for it is our heart’s devotion and love that he wants from us. Another verse in the Old Testament and in the New Testament says that we are to love the Lord our God with our whole heart. In order for that to happen, we have to allow God to refine our hearts in the crucible of life. That is not something we really choose to go through but when we do, we come out knowing and loving God in a more perfect way. It’s a promise, let’s embrace it.

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July 20 – Better than Gold

“The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”  - Psalm 19:9b-10  (NASB)

How often do we have the proper reaction when reading God’s Word, or hearing it taught?  Do we treasure it as something of great value or something that satisfies our soul?  King David wrote about how he felt when he heard God’s word. He said that God’s Word was sweeter to him than honey. If you truly love the Lord, I believe that you agree with David and you know that God’s judgements and actions are righteous altogether.  The value of the truth and promises we have in our Bible is greater than anything we treasure here on earth. We have read our Bible and found it to be  sweeter than honey. In times of high stress and anxiety it is God’s word that brings comfort that cannot be purchased with money.  And we have heard someone teach God’s Word and our hearts have responded because the truths we heard were sweet – sweeter than honey. So we can join with David and say as he did that God’s words, His promises  are more precious than gold.

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July 12 – As By Fire

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”  Proverbs 17:3 (ESV) 
“The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And each is tested by the praise accorded him.” Proverbs 27:21 (NASB)

In our verses this morning we find a different kind of promise.   It is good for us to understand that in our lives as believers, God is working for our best and His glory.  He is shaping us to serve and worship Him. To do that we are tested and refined like silver and gold - sometimes by fire.  The first verse (Prov. 17:3) gives the example of testing and refining to purify gold and silver.  This process takes great skill and care.  This example is also used in our second verse (Prov. 27:21) but with a different lesson.   First lesson: it is God testing our hearts. He is the one who does it.  He does so by allowing challenging circumstances and situations to be in our path and to test our faith.  Life is not intended to be easy and it is not a bed of roses (even if it were, there would be lots of thorns to contend with).   Second lesson: using the same example, our testing comes through the praise given to us.  Perhaps we can even say we are tested by the praise we desire or we think we are owed, and by the praise we receive.  Public and personal praise, when it is given, is something that needs to be received and appreciated in a manner that is worthy of our faith in God who gives us all things.  We give the praise back to God.  Because it is God who does the testing, it is God who provides the praise we receive through others.  Do we stand up well to it?  We will be tested like silver and gold to make us ready, it's a promise.    

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June 19 – Praise, Glory, Honor

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)

Yesterday we read a Bible verse about Christian faith. We may not have a great faith but we can focus it on a great God. Today's verse brings us to think about how God values our faith.  It speaks of how our faith is tested and refined by the difficulties we face in life. God allows difficulties to refine our faith because He places a very great value on our faith. Our faith is worth more than gold according to our verse. So, my friend, when you face situations where you have to trust God, remember that God is watching how you trust Him and he wants to help you through the situations to grow in your faith. Our faith is of great value and God wants its results to be praise, glory and honor when He is revealed. Isn't the promise of God's glory revealed one of our primary purposes?

July 19

“The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:9b-10 (NIV)

Do we always have the proper reaction when we read God’s Word, or hear it taught? David wrote about how he felt when he heard God’s word. He said that God’s Word was sweeter to him than honey. If you truly love the Lord, I believe that you agree with David. You have read your Bible and it has been sweeter than honey. And you have heard someone teach God’s Word and your heart has responded because the truths you heard were sweet – sweeter than honey. So we can join with David and say as he did that God’s words are more precious than gold.

April 23

“The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:9-10 (NIV)

In many of the songs written by David there is a strong element of praise. These words today are about the teachings God has given us in the Bible. There is nothing in this world that is of more value than the truth that God has given us in His book.  When we recognize that the words we read are from God, the Creator, we accept them as being eternally true. His truth will remain after all the gold on earth has become valueless. That is why they are more precious than gold. They are sweeter than honey. Does not that make you want more of his truth every day?