Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily
devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
The Wisdom
of God
Verses for the Day:
4 Take away the
dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established
in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:4-5 (AMP):
4 Take away the dross from
the silver, and there shall come forth (the material for) a vessel for the
silversmith (to work up).
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established
in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses in Proverbs
make a comparison of how silver is refined, to that of removing wickedness from
the kingdom. We know that before silver can be used to make a beautiful vessel,
it must be refined by heating it up so that the "dross" or "impurities" can be
removed. This "dross" is a scum that comes to the top. In these verses, we are
told in order for righteousness to prevail before the king, that the wicked must
be removed and this is exactly what will happen at the second coming of King
Jesus when the kingdom of God is ushered in. In fact, there are many
scriptures that support this, as we are told the wicked are removed from the
earth in judgment, while God's righteous people are left to rule and reign with
Him.
Proverbs
10:27-30:
27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be
shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the
wicked shall perish.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to
the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the
earth.
The other analogy
in the Bible that speaks of purifying silver is found in the New Testament.
God's people are compared to vessels; some gold and silver ones, and some wood
and earth ones. The silver and gold ones are precious metals that are enduring,
while the wood and earth ones will eventually deteriorate. The former are called
vessels of honor, while the later are called vessels of dishonor. The ones of
dishonor were never purged of the iniquity in them. God wants us to ask Him to
purify our hearts and obey Him so that we can be among the vessels of honor.
We are to be like the silver and gold vessels that have been purged of all the
dross or impurities in our lives, so that when He looks into them, there is no
scum and He can see His own reflection in us.
2 Timothy
2:19-21:
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but
also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good
work.
To the measure we
overcome in the tests and trials we go through in this life, that will determine
what kind of vessel we will become. Each time we choose to obey God instead of
our flesh and the devil, a little more of the "dross" is removed until we come
forth as pure silver or gold. The trials of fire heat up our circumstances and
if we fail to respond in faith, obedience and love, then we fail to get rid of
the "dross."
Psalm 66:10:
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Here is a portion
of a cry of David in the book of Psalms, that is first a declaration against the
wicked and then a prayer for God to help him keep God's commandments. He knew
that God would remove the wicked like dross and he did not want to be among that
company. David cried out to maintain his respect for the Word of God and thus,
God Himself. We do not respect God unless we respect His Word. David knew
this, so he chose to love the testimony of God and His statutes.
Psalm
119:115-119:
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be
ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy
statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit
is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love
thy testimonies.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the ongoing work that You are doing in my life. I do want to
cry out as David did for grace and strength to keep Your commandments. May
I always love and respect You and Your Word above all else. I know that when I
choose to do this, that You will protect me from the enemy and keep me in a
place of safety. Lord, cleanse me from every evil thing so that I will
become a vessel of honor for Your glory. Purge the "dross" from my life so that
I will shine for You as silver and gold. I ask this in the name of the
Lord Jesus. Amen.
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