DEVOTION
PROVERBS
HUMILITY
Prov 27:21
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested
by the praise he receives.
NIV
A crucible is a firing pot or ceramic container which is used to create
intense heat to melt silver down so to create something new. This is the same
with the furnace for gold. Both test the quality of the metal, finding any
faults, or substances that are not pure silver or gold and it comes to the
surface as slag and is skimmed off leaving nothing but the purest form of
silver or gold. This is the picture we are given of how a man is tested by
praise. Applause or praise is usually given freely when we do something
considered well done. We applaud performances well done, whether they be a
play, a musical, a magician or even a comedian. What is somewhat surprising is we
applaud a church choir after singing a wonderful concert, even if they are
singing unto the Lord. What is also surprising is we do not applaud the
preacher after delivering a powerful message. Why do we applaud the singers but
not the speaker? But the point is we give praise very freely, maybe not with
words, but with applause. There are times when praise is given through words.
We hear it at times in the form of acknowledgement of something we have done
well. This usually happens on our job, or perhaps in a task we were assigned to
do, even in church. Acknowledgement or recognition are what many of us seek
out. Sometimes they are the reason we do what we do, or at least make sure
others see what we do. Even the keeper of tithes knows the big givers, and
sometimes in some churches they are given top spots, like being on the board, or
being an elder or deacon, because the pastor and even some of the congregation
knows about the size of their tithe. The problem, the point of this proverb is
in the response to applause or acknowledgement, recognition, praise. If we do
not feel the praise that is we do not feel as if we deserve any praise then in
fact we do. But if we are pulled up by it, if we get puffed up because of
praise, then we are worthless. The reason for worthlessness is because the
reason we do something is for the praise and in all the reality of humankind, God
is the only one worthy of praise. But we praise men with our applause and our
words and many want just that.
John 12:42-43
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.
But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they
would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than
praise from God.
NIV
Do we desire the praise from men
or from God? When we are praised by men, what is our response? It has often been
seen that many times God uses us in areas that we have absolutely no expertise
in. We might spend a lifetime gaining knowledge and skills in one area, then
God calls us into a completely different direction. How can we receive praise
then? All we do, all we are, all we say or write is due to the Spirit at work
in our lives. We cannot accept any of the credit for it is all God. So then
when praised we should rebuke it, and admit it is all God, and not of us. This
should be the mindset of every believer and that should also set the tone for
giving and or accepting praise. Now it is even possible to get puffed up about
God using us in an area we are not humanly qualified for. We should also
remember that it is required to live humbly before our Lord.
Mic 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD
require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your
God.
NIV
If we are to walk humbly with our God, that would also mean we walk
humbly with him before men. This would mean a lot of our words should have less
of “I” and more of “We” in them. Maybe even the “We” can be praise seeking, so maybe
we need more of God instead of either the “I “or the “We”. But then we do things,
we do give, we do actions. How do we balance that? What is our response to
praise? Let us remember our humility instead of our prideful attitude.
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