August 10, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
The fining pot or what we call the smelting pot which removes the dross from silver and the furnace which removes the dross from Gold is an illustration of a man proven by trial.
Men will endure great trial of affliction proving that they have intestinal fortitude and strength. Many men have survived event he most horrible crucibles of trial and come out better.
For the Christian, the born again believer, the trial of affliction should reveal Christ in us the hope of glory.
1Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
However, our text goes beyond what man can endure in trial when the dross is removed and the vessel comes forth finer. Our text speaks of the man who receives praise instead of trial. For praise has, more often than not, ruined the man.
Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
The thing about praise is that men give praise when praise is not warranted. People praise others for everything even things that are sinful and wrong in the eyes of the Lord. (After all, we don’t want to hurt anyones feelings.)
When one receives that kind of praise, it truly reveals what kind of person the recipient is.
There are times when praise is warranted and right as we’ll see in Proverbs 31. The woman there does not do things to receive praise she does what she does because it is necessary and right.
Do you do things simply to receive praise? Do you do things because you want others to notice you? Does your personal phrase for life say “Look what I did?”
Proverbs 25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
I am convinced, man will accomplish more for God if he cares not who gets the praise for his work.
Really, all glory and praise belongs to God.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
When someone gives you praise, how you respond tells what type of person you are. Just like the fining pot for silver and the furnace for Gold your response to praise reveals who you are.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
