READ: Proverbs 27 (Focus vs. 17-27)
MEMORY VERSE
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17*
BACKGROUND
Louise, a project manager, regretted taking on the freelance job. Both the client and designer were testing her patience. Why is it so difficult? she wondered. Why can’t these people get it together?
Weeks later, as she read Proverbs 27, verse 17 stood out—“iron sharpens iron.” “You can’t file down rough edges with something soft, like silk,” she told her small group soon after. “You need something hard, like iron.”
Louise realized that the challenges in the project were smoothing down some rough edges of her own. She was learning to be more patient and humble, and to adapt to different working styles.
God, she concluded, was using the project to expose her flaws and teach her new lessons about working with others.
Much of the book of Proverbs extols the value of godly wisdom, but this wisdom doesn’t come easily. It needs to be sought after with obedience and discernment (3:13; 13:20; 19:20), and refined in crucibles and furnaces, with mortars and pestles (27:21-22)—situations that may mean temporary pain and suffering.
Yet the Bible reminds us that challenges come with rewards: In seeking God’s wisdom diligently and obeying His ways, we’ll find true security, satisfaction, and blessing (vv. 26-27).
Leslie Koh
INSIGHT
Learning to view troubles and trials as instruments in God’s hand is an important key to our spiritual growth. His goal for us isn’t that we have an easy or pain-free life, but rather that we “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
As fire purifies gold (Proverbs 17:3; 27:21), so the heat of trials can be God’s tool to purify us and make us more like Jesus. Christ’s half-brother James affirms this in his letter: “The testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete” (James 1:3-4). Part of walking by faith is trusting that God doesn’t waste anything.
We can be sure that when difficult times come, He has a purpose for those trials in refining and shaping us to become more like Jesus.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
What lessons can you learn from difficult situations you’re facing? How might God be refining and shaping you to be more like His Son, Jesus?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God has a purpose for…trials in refining and shaping us to become more like Jesus…the Bible reminds us that challenges come with rewards: In seeking God’s wisdom diligently and obeying His ways, we’ll find true security, satisfaction, and blessing.”
PR’s TAKE
“…“iron sharpens iron.” “You can’t file down rough edges with something soft, like silk,”” Today’s Post
“Trials, obstacles, difficulties and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.” George Muller
“Trials are never permanent. They are there to teach you, strengthen you, motivate you and help guide you in life.” Rubyanne
PRAYER
“Loving Father, please grant me strength to endure my trials and a humble heart to learn from life’s challenges. Thank You for shaping and molding me each day.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“DO A WORK” James Fortune
Don’t worry bout it, lift your head above it.
Because God already knows it and the future
He’s the One who holds it.
So when you are ready for the storm to end,
That’s when God shows up with His second wind.
I’m just gone praise You,
Lord from now until then He’s gone doing a work,
Doing a work, doing a work in me.
No, I’m not perfect,
But He’s doing a work in me.
This is just a part of my journey.
God’s doing a work in me.
I need the strength, don’t want to quit.
Don’t worry, oh, oh, oh, oh, do a work in me!
It may be hard to fathom,
But I’m not too big to imagine.
God is working out for my good,
Followed His place just like I should.
And when it starts raining,
You know what God’s up to something.
