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“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but PEOPLE ARE TESTED BY THEIR PRAISE.” (Proverbs 27:21) [Silver and gold are tested by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so we are tested BY SOMEONE PRAISING US! So what do we do with that praise? If we are celebrated and favored, then we showing ourselves what is the most important to us! If we take the glory to ourselves which we should be transmitting to God, as Herod did:] “On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, BECAUSE HEROD DID NOT GIVE PRAISE TO GOD, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (Acts 12:21-24) [This shows how Herod’s pride was responded to: it was of course pride that caused this; it is this pride that commonly goes before destruction, and the haughty spirit before a fall!] “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I HATE PRIDE AND ARROGANCE, evil behavior and perverse speech.” (Proverbs 8:12, 13) [Wisdom here is referring to Jesus Christ, because in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Jesus in the word and Jesus in the heart, not only Jesus revealed TO US, but Jesus revealed IN US! Here, He expresses His feelings about pride and arrogance!] “Pride goes BEFORE DESTRUCTION, a haughty spirit BEFORE A FALL.” (Proverbs 16:18) [So, what do we do to avoid and overcome pride and arrogance?] “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind and with ALL your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these…ALL the Law and the Prophets HANG ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS.” (Mark 12:30-31), (Matthew 22:40) [When Jesus said that the whole Law and the prophets are hanging or suspended from these two concepts (LOVE FOR GOD AND LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR), He said something like this: Everything hangs on these two nails. Take the nails out of the wall and EVERYTHING ELSE falls into a mess! Our fulfilling what the Lord expects from us depends upon our LOVING HIM WITH OUR ALL!] “His DIVINE POWER has GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR A GODLY LIFE through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness…Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For IF YOU DO THESE THINGS, YOU WILL NEVER STUMBLE, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3, 10-11)

Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that IF WE DO THESE THINGS, WE WILL NEVER STUMBLE! – Bill Stockham