Today: [Proverbs 17] The Crucible of God’s Presence. In Proverbs 17 Solomon tells us that God tries the hearts of men as a refiner purifies metal in a crucible. How does God try us? Does He try us by allowing cancer, disease, heartbreak and poverty so we can be more like Him? This is the common teaching of Christian culture but does it truly line up with God’s word? If God does suspend the merits of the cross in order to bring such things on our lives are we to volunteer for such suffering? Many teach that to do so is the height of spirituality. Solomon speaks to us on these things and gives us a corrective view of just how God makes us more like Himself.