Walking with the Wise #265: Heart Tested

"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

and the LORD tests hearts."

—Proverbs 17:3

Silver is tested in a crucible and gold in the furnace, but it is God who tests the actions and intentions of our hearts. God alone knows our hearts (cf. Psalm 44:21; Luke 16:15; Acts 15:8), and He is able to see everything about us—our hidden motivations, personal failures and fears, as well as our deepest hopes and dreams. He is the one who directs our paths and will take us to places and place us in situations where our hearts are tested and where we can see that which truly motivates us.

Often times, it is in the midst of adversity where our true character is shown. As James wrote,

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”—James 1:2-4.

Trials bring us closer to God, and reveal the sinfulness within us, enabling us to cling to Christ more securely and with greater intensity. Which is why the Psalmist wrote,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths”
—Proverbs 3:5-6.

What are you going through right now? What pain or hardship are you enduring? What difficulty are you facing? Know that God cares about you and goes with you through it—patiently and carefully shaping and molding you to be the person He desires you to be. Don’t fight His loving hand, submit to it and cling to Him, “casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you”—1 Peter 5:7. Amen.