Turning Up Some Holy Heat
“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” - Proverbs 17:3 (KJV)
Most of us are familiar with the phrase: "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen." The meaning of this phrase conveys the idea that you should not persist with a task if the pressure of it is too much for you. The implication being that, if you cannot cope, you should leave the work to someone who can. It also advances the attitude of persevering under pressure by challenging one to stay resolute or resign.
Are you experiencing the Heat? I am not referring to the Miami Heat, the defending world champions of the NBA. The heat that I am referring to happens to be a necessary tool used by our Holy God for successful sanctification.
Are you aware that our Father God will providentially promote pressure (Holy Heat) in our lives? Scripture indicates that God uses Holy Heat to prove and test our faith and devotion or even clear some complacency that has comfortably settled in our hearts.
“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” - Exodus 16:4 (KJV)
“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” - Psalms 26:2 (KJV)
The LORD God examined His children in the wilderness to see if they would walk with him or wander away. David invited the pressure of examination with respect of his devotion. He was clearly asking God to help him discover any impediments that injured and hindered intimacy in his walk with the Lord.
Question: When was the last time that you made yourself available for God to open you up inside out? Now let’s look at our opening text.
“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” - Proverbs 17:3 (KJV)
In the King James Version, the term fining potrefers to a smelting pot which was a vessel used to heat metal to a high temperature to remove dross (worthless, mineral waste) as a part of the refining process. The word trieth in our text means to examine and prove.
Similar to that which fire does for metals, our wise and loving Lord does for our hearts. Through the fire of trials, He separates the spiritual dross (selfishness) from what He deems is valuable and useful for His purposes! At His divine discretion, our God will bring the Heat in our lives to lift us out of the cold of complacency.
Consider what I perceive to be the signs of a complacent heart toward the Lord:
- Taking his love, mercy and truth for granted.
- A casual and uncommitted attitude about service, church attendance
- A inconsistent devotional life
- Parking in prayerlessness
- A lack of love for the lost
- A tepid response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit
- Diminished discernment
- Apathy towards the authority of the Bible
This list is not exhaustive but it is an excellent tool for examination. Follow King David’s example and ask the Lord to examine your heart for impurities. Then watch the Lord heat up your life with some Holy Heat in order for all of us to be purified vessels for the Master's use!!
Not a Sermon But a Thought,
PBKSR