“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3
The Lord tests the heart to build our trust. Resistance to our efforts creates a reason to reach out to our Creator. Your test of trust is not a trivial pursuit, but a process of purification. Like the cleansing crucible for precious metals, the Lord uses tests to extract the crude of our pride and replace it with the cream of His humility. Tests invite trust.
Indeed, faith is the fruit of being refined by trials. It may be a financial test you are facing. Will you spend less and give more, as you watch your net worth shrink? You may have failed the relational test in your marriage, with your children or a parent. Be hopeful, for you can find success in failure. Failure strips away the nonessentials, so all that’s left is raw faith. Failure is not final. It is a stepping-stone to see the Lord work.
A test is the Lord’s tool to teach you trust. “For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver” (Psalm 66:10). It may feel like the Holy Spirit has strip-searched your soul, because you feel humiliated and exposed. Refinement is not always friendly, but it is necessary to prepare you for success at work and at home. The building of your character is Christ’s way to prepare you for your next milestone of achievement. Fire fuels faith.
Lastly, affluence may be your greatest test of trust in God. The more you have, the less you feel you need the Lord. “You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:16-17a). ‘Have I passed the test of prosperity?’ ‘Do I give Christ the credit for my accomplishments?’
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 32:21; Job 23:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:7
Source: Seeking Daily the Heart of God Boyd Bailey
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My thoughts!
Faith is the fruit of being refined by trials. Yup!
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