In the Old Testament, the Word of the Lord was given through the prophet Zechariah, to relay vital messages to God’s people. The temple had just begun to be rebuilt, but the Prophet was sent to warn God’s beloved and chosen people that they should hear and yield to the important message of maintaining a real and vital relationship with God, which would bring them desire to please and obey God. Then questions arose about outwardly observing the fast. Again, God spoke through Zachariah, as he pointed out that the key to a right relationship with God was the desire to love the Lord with all your heart and obey Him. Fasting for the sake of fasting was futile, because legalistic observances of the law cannot serve as a substitute for the power and ability to reflect God’s love in everyday living. God longed to have a loving relationship with His called and chosen children, even though there were many times they walked in stubbornness and rebellion. Yet, Zechariah prophesized in the Spirit of the Lord’s faithfulness, loving kindness, greatness, goodness, and beauty when he said, “And the Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people, for they shall be as the precious jewels of a crown, lifted high over and shining glitteringly upon His land”(Zechariah9:16). Lord Yahweh makes His chosen ones to be precious jewels in His Kingly crown!
Again, in the book of Malachi, some of God’s people knowingly spoke out against the Lord. In this downward and rebellious spiral, they declared that it was useless to serve and obey the Lord! Instead of focusing on the promises and faithfulness of the great I AM, they focused on the short-lived successes of the proud and arrogant ones. With their hearts and minds in a state of deception, they ignorantly declared, “the arrogant and proud are the happy, favored, and prosperous ones”. Yet in contrast, there was a remnant who continued to love and reverence God – they thought on His Name, and talked and often shared with each other about Him. God listened and heard the words spoken from their hearts and they were assured that their names were noted in God’s book and they would enjoy God’s salvation forever. Then these beautiful words were spoken and promised to those who faithfully love Him, “And they shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels -My special possession- My peculiar treasure. And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him” (Malachi3:17).
Today, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords calls and invites us to unite with Him in a lasting, loving, growing, heart relationship. He offers forgiveness and reconciliation through the Lamb of God, who is His perfect Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself on the cross for mankind. Then the Divine Encourager, who is the Holy Spirit was sent as a gift, to live and abide within the hearts of God’s children. The Holy Spirit is also our Teacher, who splashes over us, while unveiling the reality of the Word of Truth. We are promised eternal life, and a New Jerusalem infused with the glory of God, with radiance like that of a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal! (Rev.21:11). Such a gift of love God has prepared for the Bride of Christ – within and without.
God is transforming His true and beloved children into beautiful jewels for His crown; do you long to be one of them? Well He is the Master creator and gem cutter, and he is at work in our hearts and lives. In the natural realm of earth, gems are created through intense heat and pressure. In the spiritual realm God will use pressures and trials, even the ones manipulated by the enemy, to create His beautiful jewels for His eternal crown. Some have called this the work of the cross, others have called this the work of sanctification. But we must look and allow Him to help us have eyes to see what is within our hearts, while the Holy Spirit helps us to work it out through prayer. We must be willing to humble ourselves and surrender all to Him. He longs to bring us inner-heart healing, increased love, greater joy, while giving us a renewed and sound mind! This powerful work of God within us will affect and completely change the patterns of our outer man. As we learn to yield and connect in Oneness with the Spirit of Life, and lean on the everlasting loving arms of our Creator- Lord Yahweh- He will transform and make us into beautiful, precious, shinning jewels for His crown! fffffff
