Proverbs Chapter 27: verse 21 (NIV)
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but people are tested by their praise.
Philippians chapter 3: verse 14 (NIV)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I was struck today by the phrase from this verse, “but people are tested by their praise.” When I think of times of testing, I am more inclined to think of being tested in times of hardship and difficulty. We all know someone who has been through such times, or have our own experience of such. But I have not really considered times of praise, and maybe perhaps times of prosperity, as a time of testing. But when we stop to think about it – why not? We can think of successful ministers and preachers who have gained fame and popularity but who have sadly fallen for various reasons. So, we shouldn’t therefore be surprised at these circumstances also being a time of testing. Its easy to take our eyes off God during our mountaintop experiences. I think of the late Billy Graham who stood firm in spite of his popularity among Presidents and Monarchs. He stood the test and was found faithful to the end.
God knows each of us, and what our weaknesses are. Mine will be different from someone else, and therefore what is a time of trial for me may be quite different from someone else.
As I thought about this, a line from an old hymn, which was a favourite of mine, but which I haven’t sung in ages, popped into my mind – “He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark.” He knows us all intimately and His desire is for us to reach the prize of the high calling of God in Christ.
We should never compare our circumstances with anyone else’s – we may each be going through a time of testing, no matter if it’s a time of praise or a desert experience. I couldn’t get that old hymn out of my head, so here it is. I am sure there will be some like me who will find themselves singing it for the rest of their day. The words are awesome!
My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God;
‘Tis His to lead me there—not mine, but His—
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.
So faith bounds forward to its goal in God,
And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;
Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard
Till God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer.
No matter if the way be sometimes dark,
No matter though the cost be oft-times great,
He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark,
The way that leads to Him must needs be strait.
One thing I know, I cannot say Him nay;
One thing I do, I press towards my Lord;
My God my glory here, from day to day,
And in the glory, there my great Reward.