Precious
A Devotional sharing how we are precious to God like a precious jewel.
SCRIPTURE:
It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. —Revelation 21:11—
THOUGHT:
I have rediscovered AGAIN how much you learn when you are curious and how amazing Google Images is…. but there is a catch. As I was researching for this devotional, I was sent on an exhausting but beautiful journey (and rabbit trails) into the world of gemstones – none of which I am in possession of, which then leads me to the sin of covetousness. Hmmm…
That being said, I recently watched a movie “Same Kind of Different As Me”. Considering full disclosure, I must confess that I recently created a devotional on a quote from the movie for the MBUMC youth group. Yet, I was so enamored with this movie, I felt an urgent need to share another part of the movie with my church friends.
“When you is precious to God, you become important to Satan.” (Denver, who is a homeless man helped by a Christian woman, is devastated when his “angel” dies too young due to cancer)
In the scripture above, it is referring to The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb – a description of the Shekinah Glory, the visible manifestation of Gods’ Presence.
“Jasper” is described as the precious jewel, clear as crystal. I discovered there are many types of Jasper and each precious stone can look very different from the others. It is supposed that because of the phrase used – “…clear as crystal”, that it is likely a kind of jasper that is similar to a diamond. The pictures above show only four of the types of Jasper, one of which is clear and designated a diamond Jasper. I can just imagine the magnificent beauty that beheld John during this vision on the Isle of Patmos. To “see” a “glorious” image that shines clear like a diamond? How precious that scripture is and how enticing to our visual senses. The light that was refracted and gleamed. The ability to be able to see “through” the precious stone. The gleaming rays of the surrounding yet humble light that attempted to compete, as it flowed through the structure. Amazing!
In a worldly sense, I can surmise that I am not the only person who may covet something so beautiful. So it is no surprise that Satan would covet it as well, at least symbolically. In the quote from the movie, Denver is eloquently stating that when someone is trying to do their best and acting in a Godly way, then Satan is more worried about that person because NOW, that individual is more powerful for God. So, the person who is “precious” or special to God, is someone that Satan wants to possess or at least confuse the person. If he, Satan, can get the person to switch alliances and use that power for evil, then he has won. In the movie, Ms. Debbie was a precious gem of a Christian. She didn’t die from cancer because she was a Christian, but even when she had passed, the work she did here on earth for Gods’ Kingdom, lived on in the hearts of those she touched. Satan would have loved to get a hold of someone like her, but thankfully God prevailed. Even though she was “gone” from here, Denver and likely countless other gems are shining bright with the energy of her spirit.
One of the sub-themes of the book “The Screwtape Letters”, is that Satan is not interested as much in the person who is ungodly or evil as in the person who is righteous. The person who continues to sin without contemplation is already under his malicious umbrella. Yet, the human that is on a Godly, albeit imperfect, journey is THE ONE that Satan wants to capture and employ in his deeds. The evil person is won already for his side. The “precious” one, the “precious” jewel is on Gods’ side and the jealous and conniving Satan wants to divert that soul to his team.
Sometimes, when I think about the parts of my life when I thought I was doing the best that I could for God, it was then that I felt the most challenged by Satan. I believe it is BECAUSE Satan wants to “thwart” any attempt by Gods’ jewels to shine. If Satan can change that jewel to a useless piece of rock, then he will have won.
Maybe we, as Christians, should be on the lookout for those precious jewels and surround them in love and the hedge of Gods’ protection. We should recognize each and every person as a jewel, precious to God and powerful for His Kingdom, yet quite capable of being stolen for the other side. Their intrinsic value makes them a target. When we notice and validate the quality of each gem, we also recognize their importance to God and their capabilities to positively affect us and the world around us.
Although Revelation may be alluding to the diamond jasper, I suggest to you, that each of us, no matter what type of Jasper we are, is a precious gem to God. And “Satan don’t like that!!”. It doesn’t matter what our color is or our size or even the quality of our past life. Just like the jasper, it matters that we, through the PRECIOUS love of Jesus Christ, have been planted, grown, honed, and polished to shine. So, Satan, stick with your own. Gods’ people are in the business of discovering gems and honing them in order to shine, no matter what you think you have planned.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating in us the potential to be your precious gems. Thank You for protecting us and keeping us close to You. Help us to fight evil in all its forms. Help us to maintain the clarity and beauty of Your presence in a challenging world. Help us to appreciate each other for our spirits and our hearts and talents. Help us to value each other and come together as a team to build Your Kingdom. Help us to shine with the Glory of God.
AMEN.
Like this? Please let us know!