“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.” Proverbs 27:21 Though I've read this verse before, I read it this morning with new eyes. Crucibles for silver and furnaces for gold both refer to processes of PURIFICATION... Taking out what doesn't belong by melting it off in the INTENSITY of heat and being left with a purified substance. In this Proverb our PRAISE is described in an analogous way! In the heat of intensity of life, it is more PRAISE that removes what doesn't belong in our spirits and leaves the precious, more valuable, unadulterated substance of who we were made to be. A greater level of glory. How interesting that these verses should show up on the same day during my quiet time with God: “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:14-15 Sacrifice. That's a word full of pain and discomfort. It's letting go. It's giving something valuable, trusting it is for a good cause. God says in days of trouble that our praise should be our SACRIFICE... That even though there is trouble all around and the way unclear that it is IN OUR PRAISE that we reach through the discomfort, brave the heat of trial, and become purified and strengthened. But that sacrifice does not go unmet! God promises deliverence! You won't be in that hot melting circumstance for long! You won't be fooled and have your praise fall flat as everything fails- NO! God hears the faith and trust it takes to still praise in spite of it all, and NOTHING MOVES HIM IN A MIGHTIER WAY. Praise on, friends.
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