I have a beautiful emerald ring that my husband gave me for our 20th anniversary. There are 7 emeralds and a diamond between each emerald. I truly treasure this ring, not because of its monetary value but because it represents the gift of 20 years of marriage to a wonderful man and the gift of each of our 7 children. It represents the work of God in our lives through tragedy and loss.
I treasure this ring and keep it carefully. For instance, when I take it on a trip I do not place it in the bag with the rest of my costume jewelry. I put it in a box, in a special place in my suitcase. I may even place it in the safe at the hotel if one is available. I treasure it and a treasure is something we keep carefully.
Did you know that Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is all about treasuring or keeping the Word of God? Some form of the word keep is found 29 times in Psalm 119.
The psalmist not only talks about how and why we keep God’s Word but how it feels when the Word of God is our special treasure. The person who treasures the Bible will love it, rejoice in it, hope in it, long for it, delight in it, snd stand in awe of it! This is what it feels like when the Word of God is our treasure.
Jesus, the Word, keeps those who keep His Word.
“…and they have kept thy word.” John 17:6
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12
In verse 11, Jesus prays to the Father for us to be kept by the power of His name. This entire chapter is a prayer. Over and over Jesus prays for our keeping. We are a special treasure to Him.
The Word of God has the power to keep us. My favorite passage and one that often brings me great comfort in this trying world is from the book of Proverbs.
“Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” Proverbs 6:21-23
Oh keep the Word of God carefully my friend. Make it your precious treasure for it has the power to keep you from loss.
Loser Bible Study Series Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated lost in John 17:12, our verse for today.