Ben Sira counsels every believer entering the service of God: "My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing." True fidelity to God is refined in the furnace of trial, patience, and humble trust.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) synthesizes Israel's wisdom tradition with Torah piety. Chapter 2 serves as a foundational exhortation to endurance, reminding believers that gold is tested in fire and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation (Sirach 2:5).
Do not be surprised or discouraged when spiritual trials follow a decision to grow closer to God; view every test as an opportunity to deepen your trust in Him.
“Lord God, keep my heart steadfast and patient in the hour of trial. Purify my faith like gold in the furnace so that I may serve You in holiness. Amen.”
“Fili, accedens ad servitutem Dei sta in justitia et timore, et præpara animam tuam ad tentationem.”
“My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.”
“My son, if you come to serve the Lord, Prepare your soul for temptation.”
God. All must be tried, Tobias xii. 13., and Hebrews xii. 6., and Luke xxiv. 46. But God will grant sufficient grace, 1 Corinthians x. 13. (Calmet)