When God Says …
“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; So is a man to his praise.” (Proverbs 27:21 KJV)
The Message parallel version says: “The purity of silver and gold is tested by putting them in the fire; The purity of human hearts is tested by giving them a little fame." (Proverbs 27:21 MSG)
The test of praise is a person's refining moment. His reaction reveals the true nature of how his heart is formed. Like the fiery test that reveals what the metal is really like, the test of fame exposes who the man really is. The quality of his values is laid bare!
An award or praise given that puts a person in some kind of a pedestal is in reality a test of character and inner strength. Strong men are humbled by ovation. They don't become big-headed and arrogant. Weak men fall to arrogance with a costly price. Like what happened to Herod in the Bible who received praise from the people. It is written: “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”(Acts 12:21-23 NIV)
All praise belongs to God. As His children by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, our consciousness is: He deserves all the honor and praise. Apostle Paul, when he was given praise, he deflects the real praise to God. He declares in 2 Corinthians 10:17, "But, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." Jesus alone deserves the glory. His name is above all names. Scriptures affirm and remind: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)
And I Say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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