Proverbs 17:2-3 

²A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family. ³The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

Depression

         A woman claimed to be depressed since childhood. Accordingly, she survived many years of fatigue and low energy. Her mood was affected and felt sadness. But 22 years later, she was diagnosed with anemia. Anemia is a deficiency of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Medical experts say that most often, anemia occurs due to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can mimic depressive symptoms and may lead to wrong diagnosis.

         Previous doctors who checked her problem had wrongly diagnosed  her condition. In their field of study, medical doctors are considered experts but they can be wrong. They are also limited to what they learned in school.

Pray that the Lord gives wisdom to your doctor and conscientious care to your nurses. Pray that they will be blessed spiritually and practically.

         We can imitate the prayer of King David in Psalm 71:18, ¹⁸Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

         The Lord faithfully sustains us even at old age so that we testify about it. Prayerfully trust that the Lord provides conscientious and responsible people to care for us when we grow old. Rich people may hire the best caregiver. Those who cannot hire caregivers, they rely upon their family.

         There are good family members but not everyone has such privilege. When we become old and helpless, that could be the moment to practically experience the sufficiency of God’s grace. Would God be gracious to older people? God will show much concern to believers who diligently obeyed him. It is God’s sufficient grace for family members to be good to us. Amen!

1. Family

           ²A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

         In most cases, inheritance belongs to children. Caring parents hope to leave great inheritance to their children. But there are also servants who sincerely care and serve their master faithfully. Certainly, generous masters will recompense their faithful servants, possibly with inheritance.

Restaurant

         A student worked at a restaurant while finishing his university studies. His boss observed his dedication and diligence in his work and promoted him as manager. Few years later, the restaurant progressed and expanded. After the student graduated, his boss gifted him with a restaurant franchise to show his appreciation for his diligence and dedication in his work.

         This true story seems like fictional story, but it may happen anywhere around the world. Well, if human beings are generous to reward diligent workers, our gracious God certainly rewards his faithful servants. Amen!

         Christ Jesus our Lord used the parable of the bags of gold to illustrate what we could expect to happen for faithful service in Matthew 25:19-21.

            ¹⁹After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. He said, “Master, you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.” ²¹His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

         The master entrusted bags of gold to his servants. When he returned, he rewarded his faithful servants who productively managed the gold he entrusted them. The faithful servants shared their master’s happiness.

         Similarly, when Christ our Master returns, he rewards faithful service. We will share his eternal happiness also. Can you imagine the appearance of Jesus Christ when he returns? Together, let’s reflect on what is narrated in Revelation 1:14-15, ¹⁴The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

         Bronze would glow in the fire. The feet of Christ were like glowing bronze. The description of the appearance of Christ is majestic. When he returns, the Lord will transform our mortal bodies like the glorious body of Christ (Phil. 3:21). Meanwhile, God allows difficult struggles to purify us and to let his light shines in us like gold that needs to be purified in a furnace.

 2. Furnace

            ³The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

         A crucible is a container that can resist high temperature. To purify silver or gold inside a crucible, the furnace should be heated at a very high temperature. A very high temperature heat separates impurities from gold.

         Gold shines brighter when purified in high heat. High heat reveals if gold genuine or fake gold. Can fake gold or fool’s gold shine in high heat?

Pyrite

         Have you heard of the “fool’s gold” or gold of the foolish? How about pyrite? Pyrite is known as “fool’s gold” because it superficially resembles gold color. If you’re not trained to identify gold you can be fooled. A natural gold tends to be irregularly shaped. If natural gold is hammered, it will be deformed but it won’t disintegrate. In comparison, a pyrite or fool’s gold is hard, brittle with crystal form. Pyrite is easily broken when it is hammered.

         Pyrites or fool’s gold cannot be melted. It won’t change when heated in a furnace. Likewise, testing from the Lord cannot change foolish people.  Anyone can imitate a Christian lifestyle and behavior. If one pretends or innocently deceives their selves, it cannot be hidden before God.

         Genuine gold shines brighter when tested by fire. Likewise, genuine believers shine brighter when tested with difficult challenges. God allows us to go throw series of difficult struggles for us to be purified and tested if we are genuine believers. Make sure that your faith in Jesus Christ is genuine.

         Anyone can pretend to be faithful based on performance but the Lord tests our hearts. So how can we personally know that we did not deceive ourselves? The Holy Spirit produces joy and peace in us amidst difficulties. When expectations won’t happen, we can still praise and thank God gladly.

         Personally, how do you interpret what it declares in Zechariah 13:9?

         ⁹I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like     gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say,  “They are my people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God.”

         The Lord makes it very certain that we belong to him. He does not want us to deceive ourselves or just guess or hope that we really believe in him. The Lord wants us to have firm confidence that we belong to him. When we are very sure that we belong to God, we trust him even more.

         Life is full of surprises and challenges. Anyone can be bothered by health concern, financial difficulty or relationship issues. But despite all uncertainties in life, we can be sure that the Lord will always use our circumstances for our own good. We should grow stronger in our faith.

         May the Lord fill us with his Holy Spirit always so that we may sense joy and peace always even in the midst of life struggles. Amen!

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