Good morning. What would you consider your most treasured possession? Would you be surprised to learn that the lists of men and of women are usually quite different? Men often list what we would call “things”. That means a vehicle or boat, golf clubs or a hunting rifle, a favorite chair or piece of electronic equipment, etc. Women, on the other hand, usually answer that question with a list of things more, shall we say, sentimental. They list toys and clothing from their children when they were babies. They list wedding rings, photographs, letters they once received, items that were passed down to them by ancestors. Things of that nature. Is one gender right while the other is wrong? Of course not, but we are different. We do have this in common regarding our treasured possessions, we guard them. We tend to take care of those things and do our best to keep them safe. It is the same with God.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a treasured possession? Consider what God says of His people in Isaiah 43:1-4:
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you…
We are redeemed and purchased through the blood of the Lamb; the highest price imaginable. We are God’s treasures, His most dear possessions. Yes, the word is possession, because we are His. To be possessed by God in such a way means that He guards us, He guides us, He loves to be with us. We are, God says, “precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you…”
What a joy to be considered precious and dear, most treasured, by our Father God.
Vern