April 14th, 2025
By: Josh Sims
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30
"For God's way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried and true; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 12:6
"The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace, purified seven times.”
Psalm 119:160
"The sum of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever."
Humans have contended with trials in their lives since the start of recorded history. Genesis gives us many examples through Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, the Tower of Babel and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph that even in the will of God, there will be tests of our faith. However, the testimony on the other side of the trial is always one of God’s grace and sovereignty. God’s character has been ‘tried and true’ for all eternity.
The phrase ‘tried and true’ is used commonly in conversation to represent something or someone that has been tested and proven to be reliable or effective through experience or a history of success. However, the origin of the phrase started in a literal context. Examples can be found as early as the 14th century, that tried and true referred to a method of creating wooden planks from a large tree trunk. The practical application of ‘trying’ a piece of lumber meant to scrape and plane one face of the wooden plank until it is flat and consistent for the length of the board being created. This process was referred to as ‘trying’ because oftentimes, these boards would fail to become flat and smooth because of tree type, grain irregularities, or damage to the growth of the tree. These damaged boards would rip, warp, or split, throughout the trying process and would be fit to be firewood. No builder, no matter their skill level, could adequately utilize a plank that failed the trying process.
Furthermore, if the plank passed the trying process, it would move on to determine if it was ‘true’. Trueing is commonly referred to today as being square. Meaning that all six surfaces of a plank were flat AND square to each other. Again, some planks would not make it through this process due to anomalies found within the grain and structure of the plank.
1 Peter 1:7
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.”
James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood firm, they will be rewarded with the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
2 Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Sometimes life feels like you’re being scoured and stripped. It can be very uncomfortable. If a plank were to have feelings, it probably would not enjoy the process either! However, the plank is of no use to anyone without the trying process! The plank would never fulfill its fullest potential and would be wasted.
Take courage today that God is sovereign, in control, and reigning in power. This uncomfortable period in your life is actually for YOUR BENEFIT. The refiner’s fire melts off iniquity, past hurt, and doubt. The fire is to benefit the precious metal! As you walk through the trial; remember, God is preparing you for His will and His glory at work in your life. There is a testimony on the other side of this trial of God’s faithfulness, provision and grace. Keep your faith in God. Keep your trust in God. Surely, He has been ‘tried and true’ through the ages!
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30
"For God's way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried and true; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 12:6
"The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace, purified seven times.”
Psalm 119:160
"The sum of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever."
Humans have contended with trials in their lives since the start of recorded history. Genesis gives us many examples through Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, the Tower of Babel and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph that even in the will of God, there will be tests of our faith. However, the testimony on the other side of the trial is always one of God’s grace and sovereignty. God’s character has been ‘tried and true’ for all eternity.
The phrase ‘tried and true’ is used commonly in conversation to represent something or someone that has been tested and proven to be reliable or effective through experience or a history of success. However, the origin of the phrase started in a literal context. Examples can be found as early as the 14th century, that tried and true referred to a method of creating wooden planks from a large tree trunk. The practical application of ‘trying’ a piece of lumber meant to scrape and plane one face of the wooden plank until it is flat and consistent for the length of the board being created. This process was referred to as ‘trying’ because oftentimes, these boards would fail to become flat and smooth because of tree type, grain irregularities, or damage to the growth of the tree. These damaged boards would rip, warp, or split, throughout the trying process and would be fit to be firewood. No builder, no matter their skill level, could adequately utilize a plank that failed the trying process.
Furthermore, if the plank passed the trying process, it would move on to determine if it was ‘true’. Trueing is commonly referred to today as being square. Meaning that all six surfaces of a plank were flat AND square to each other. Again, some planks would not make it through this process due to anomalies found within the grain and structure of the plank.
1 Peter 1:7
"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.”
James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood firm, they will be rewarded with the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
2 Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Sometimes life feels like you’re being scoured and stripped. It can be very uncomfortable. If a plank were to have feelings, it probably would not enjoy the process either! However, the plank is of no use to anyone without the trying process! The plank would never fulfill its fullest potential and would be wasted.
Take courage today that God is sovereign, in control, and reigning in power. This uncomfortable period in your life is actually for YOUR BENEFIT. The refiner’s fire melts off iniquity, past hurt, and doubt. The fire is to benefit the precious metal! As you walk through the trial; remember, God is preparing you for His will and His glory at work in your life. There is a testimony on the other side of this trial of God’s faithfulness, provision and grace. Keep your faith in God. Keep your trust in God. Surely, He has been ‘tried and true’ through the ages!
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