A Simple Gift from God

 My father often said that the size of our trials changes after a good night’s sleep. Last night, nearly nine hours of rest changed my outlook on life. But not just that. Jesus reminded me with songs that He never leaves me alone, that He loves me just as I am, that His blood was shed for my sins, and a host of other edifying truths. While fatigue affects my memory, the Holy Spirit knows how to restore right thinking.

Blessed by the Lord… with the choicest gifts of heaven above… (Deuteronomy 33:13)

Thankfully, being overtired does not rob my mind of all God’s choice gifts. The Spirit always bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God, but I sometimes fail to think the fullness of what this means — such as that I am a “fellow heir with Christ, provided that I suffer with him in order that I may also be glorified with him.”

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to me. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For I know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but me too and I have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groaning inwardly as I wait eagerly for adoption as His child, the redemption of my body. (Romans 8:16–23, personalized)

His Spirit reminds me of this truth all the time — and I chuckle that He often uses aging to be that constant reminder. However, He often uses verses like this one as well:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)

This is a firm reality. I sometimes struggle here in this life, but the promise of eternal life is secure even if I forget the promise in this verse: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

But I do not forget that I have a precious Savior who shed His blood to satisfy divine justice and secure my forgiveness, pardon, justification and eternal glory. I may forget some of His promises when the Liar whispers “Did God say that?” Yet even then, the Holy Spirit reminds me, sometimes with alliteration, that I have from God a full pardon, peace, protection, provision, preservation, providence, and perfection — all because of Christ.

Faith is also a gift, but the ease with which doubt can slip in reminds me that faith is not just for eternal things but for right-now living. Can I rise to the challenges of today? Faith says that in Christ I can do all things and honor Him. This includes a victory when trials come:

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6–7)

Trials can challenge my memory of what God says, especially trials that come when I’ve not had enough sleep. Genesis 2:21 and other verses say that God can cause deep sleep even though circumstances and a troubled heart can make sleep flee. Because there is no rest for the wicked, I seldom forget to confess sin before going to bed. The one thing I do forget is this: “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)

PRAY: Lord, in these busy days, my to-do list can keep me up past bedtime, only to regret the lack of sleep in the morning. This vanity is denial of what You want for me, and even sinful. Forgive me and don’t let me forget to do my part in accepting and enjoying any gift from You.
 

What is precious?

When I hear the word ‘precious’ I sometimes think of that ugly Gollum in the Lord of the Rings hissing ‘my precious’ as he speaks of the ring, which almost ruins for me the use of this word. Ugh!

Yet ‘precious’ is a good word. Jesus Christ is precious. What He has done for me is precious. My husband and family are precious to me, as are my friends and even those things that I value.

‘Precious’ is used often in the Bible. Most of what is called ‘precious’ in the Old Testament is gold, silver, gems, or anything that God gives to bless His people. For instance, Moses blessed Joseph by saying, “Blessed by the Lord be his land, with the most precious gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath . . . .” (Deuteronomy 33:13)

However, not everything called precious referred to material things. King David valued his gold and silver yet he also said, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7)

The New Testament uses ‘precious’ strictly to describe God’s blessings sent down from above. Certainly Jesus is at the top of the list . . .

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious . . . . For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” (1 Peter 2:4,6)

A bit earlier in 1 Peter, God reminds me again that I have been “ransomed from the futile ways inherited from my forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18–19)

God’s promises are also precious. He promises salvation and brings it to pass. He promises Jesus will return, and this will also happen. Peter uses the work ‘precious’ to describe more of His promises . . .

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3–4)

Yet not all of the blessings of God refer to happy or comfortable things. The Bible says that the Lord sends trials also, not to harm me but “so that the tested genuineness of (my) faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7)

For God, my faith is more important than material goods or anything else. His priority means that He uses whatever is necessary to deepen my trust in Him and to transform me into the image of His Son.

All of God’s work, even the tough stuff, has become precious to me, but He turns that around and tells me something I can do that is precious to Him. He says I’m not to be concerned about fancy hairdos, jewelry, or clothing as many women are . . . 

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4)

Sometimes I wonder what I should wear, or fuss in front of the mirror, but such fussing is more about vanity than it is about pleasing God. His blesses me by valuing something that will never grow out of style, or develop wrinkles — and makes precious less about looking good and more about being godly.