Daily Reading: Proverbs 25
Scripture Focus: Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel. (Proverbs 25.4)
Devotional Thought: An ancient refiner knew silver was pure if, when he looked into the molten metal, he could see his image reflected perfectly. It was only then that the purified material would be cooled in sheets or bars, and the silversmith could hammer it into shape – to be the vessel he desired. Without the purifying process, the silver would crack and break. It could not withstand the repeated blows by the smith's hammer.
Think about the purity of your heart in light of the Smith's purpose for you. How can you know his purpose for you? What was HIS purpose? Jesus himself stated that:
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20.28)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19.10)
Ask yourself, “Is the salvation of the lost my purpose? Is my heart purified for that purpose?”
What is the dross that might need to be removed in order to purify our hearts for Jesus' purpose? Three things come to mind:
1) Sin. We must be done with sin – both actual sins and the sin nature. We cannot be effective vessels for God to use in the salvation story if our lives are controlled by sin.
2) Stuff. The writer of Hebrews talks about laying aside “every weight, and sin which clings so closely” (Hebrews 12.1). In addition to doing away with sin, we must be careful not to become encumbered by the weights of this life: possessions, relationships, attitudes, fears, worldly values, praise of men, etc.
3) Self. Your life is not your own. You have been bought at a price. Will you glorify God with your body?
Prayer: "Purify my heart. Let me be as gold and precious silver. Purify my heart... Refiner's fire! My heart's one desire Is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord... Ready to do your will." Amen. (From Brian Doerksen)
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 15.1-5
1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
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