1 PETER 2:7 – “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,””

THEME OF THE DAY: HE IS PRECIOUS.   God gives us many assurances of a healthy walk with Him.  One entire letter in the New Testament is given over to the theme of assurance. It is the first epistle of John.  In its five chapters are tests we may give ourselves to affirm that, not only we are Christians but, healthy Christians.

In today’s scripture is another piece of evidence assuring us of our salvation and healthy spiritual life.  It is found in the three words . . . “He is precious”.  As we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we will increasingly find Him precious. Our love will intensify towards Him. Our longing to be with Him will deepen.  Our pursuit of knowing Him will take on great zeal.  In addition to these spiritually healthy signs, are the following three precious truths of Jesus.

First, the Lord becomes more precious because of deeper knowledge of His gospel.  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes of the tremendous contrast between what we were outside of the gospel and what we are because of the gospel:

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ —by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:1-7).

Next, the Lord becomes more precious to us as we learn more of His roles in our lives – Redeemer, prophet, high priest, and the wonderful truth in the twenty-third Psalm . . .

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1-12).

Finally, the Lord becomes more precious to us as we experience the power and trustworthiness 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).

Yes, Christ does become more precious to His children who are walking close to Him. Why? Because He reveals the depth of His saving gospel to them. He reveals all He is to them in addition to being their Savior. And He reveals the glorious riches of His promises, making Him ever so much more precious!

PRAYER: Father, may I learn to meditate upon the preciousness of Your Son in all His beauty, power and promises.

REFLECTION: Christ cannot but be precious to those who seek Him earnestly and He reveals Himself personally.