The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts. Proverbs 17:13 (NKJV)
“Today we’ll be having a test.”
“A test?! But I didn’t know about a test! I didn’t study! Wait a minute… what’s the test on?!”
“I can’t tell you.”
“What? You can’t tell me?! You can’t even give me a hint? I need the answers! How can I pass a test if I don’t even understand the question?!”
You’ll have to trust Me to help you find them.”
"FIND them?! Can't you just GIVE me the answers?"
Did you ever forget to study for a test? Have you ever just walked into a conversation and felt like you just didn’t have enough information to contribute any thoughts of your own? How about the first time in a new place, seeing new faces and knowing none of them? In any of those instances, do you also remember feeling awkward because something was missing... like some knowledge and understanding!
God’s “tests” for us can make us feel the same way. Proverbs 17:3 talks of silver and gold.
The Nelson Study Bible (NKJV) explains:
“The refining of silver and gold is an exacting process, involving skill and considerable heat and stress. The refining work of God on His people often requires stress too.” (Underlining mine.) Amen to that, huh?!
Are there days when you think,
“Hey wait a minute... I don’t know the answers to this one! How can I get it right if I don’t even understand the question?!” You may be missing the point, however. In your fear of not being prepared, don’t forget one very important thing. The answers that you’re looking for may lie solely in the
process of answering the question. The answer may not really matter at all. It may be that God is using the time that you’re seeking answers, to grow you into someone better; someone with a better understanding, and someone closer to Him.
Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that any of the things You give to me as lessons to grow, will bring me closer to You. Help me to not get stressed when I don’t know the answers, and to remain calm and faithful in You. And through the times I struggle, help me to remember while I’m being refined, I will be “like silver… when I feel the heat, I will result in becoming “like gold“. I know through the tests of my heart, if my focus remains on You, and not the test itself, I will be okay. Please help me to not get so caught up in the “test” that I forget the only answer I need, which is You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
© 2004 Amy Verlennich
"Create in Me a Clean Heart" Devotional for the Disorganized is 52 weeks (a year). If you'd like, you can be notified through email weekly (on Sundays), to read the devotion for the week. You can begin at any time, as the notification will just be a reminder (you will have to remember what week you're on). Just go to the sidebar and click Subscribe to the "Create in Me a Clean Heart" Devotional.
