“the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who,
when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and
bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46 KJV)
Sylvester and I have recently enjoyed
a wonderful vacation in Hawaii. We are grateful to have had this blessed rest
and relaxation.
a wonderful vacation in Hawaii. We are grateful to have had this blessed rest
and relaxation.
While we were there, I had the
opportunity to open a clam and look for a pearl. I ask the lady at the store how
I would know which clam to choose. She replied, “choose the ugliest one and the
one with the most hair on it.” So I chose the ugliest one I could see and
inside was a beautiful cream colored pearl. I was so happy with it and thought it
was so beautiful.
opportunity to open a clam and look for a pearl. I ask the lady at the store how
I would know which clam to choose. She replied, “choose the ugliest one and the
one with the most hair on it.” So I chose the ugliest one I could see and
inside was a beautiful cream colored pearl. I was so happy with it and thought it
was so beautiful.
Sylvester and the store clerks encouraged
me to try for another one. I did and that clam yielded a beautiful silver pearl.
The clerk told me, “Silver pearls are rarely found. You should be very excited
about this one.” Well, that wasn’t difficult because I was already excited with
the first one.
me to try for another one. I did and that clam yielded a beautiful silver pearl.
The clerk told me, “Silver pearls are rarely found. You should be very excited
about this one.” Well, that wasn’t difficult because I was already excited with
the first one.
As I look back on this experience,
I think of the merchant who searched for pearls and found one he knew was very
valuable. He recognized that it was far more valuable than its price. Yet, he
wanted it so badly that he sold everything he possessed for that pearl.
I think of the merchant who searched for pearls and found one he knew was very
valuable. He recognized that it was far more valuable than its price. Yet, he
wanted it so badly that he sold everything he possessed for that pearl.
That story shows how much God loved
us. He surely thought that each of us was far more valuable than the price he
would have to pay. He didn’t care how ugly we were or how “hairy” our
condition, he simply sacrificed everything to purchase us. The story also tells
us how valuable the Kingdom of Heaven should be to each of us. It is more
valuable than anything we could possibly possess in this world.
us. He surely thought that each of us was far more valuable than the price he
would have to pay. He didn’t care how ugly we were or how “hairy” our
condition, he simply sacrificed everything to purchase us. The story also tells
us how valuable the Kingdom of Heaven should be to each of us. It is more
valuable than anything we could possibly possess in this world.
Dear Father, thank you for giving
everything for us. Empower us recognize the value of your kingdom and give
everything to possess it. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
everything for us. Empower us recognize the value of your kingdom and give
everything to possess it. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and courageous today in
possessing the pearl,
possessing the pearl,