"What is Precious"

“If you extract the precious from the vile, you will be my spokesman.” Jeremiah 15:19

 

There are times in your life when you remember just where you were when a Bible verse penetrates those callused layers of your heart. For me, it was this verse in Jeremiah that caught my attention and the Holy Spirit illuminated some places in my heart that I needed to change. Truthfully, I should have known this better. My husband lived out this verse every day, having learned it by the example of his mother.

A little background here: Jeremiah was the last prophet to the southern Kingdom of Judah (the 10 tribes of the north had already been carried away to Babylon into captivity). Jeremiah is sometimes called the weeping prophet, for he had served God as a messenger (witness) to a perishing nation. He never saw any fruitful change in even one person, and it broke his heart. For sure, this very tough ministry could only be sustained by the grace of our Almighty God. Jeremiah complained to God about this ongoing persecution, his unhappiness, and even his impatience with God. The reply the Lord gave to Jeremiah was for him to return back to the position he was called for and to be satisfied with that calling. An attitude adjustment was in order, I guess. God goes on to tell Jeremiah to take out the precious from the vile. Precious is the divine grace and truth God gives to each of His children, for these are valuable, costly, and exceedingly excellent things. And vile is what is worthless, prideful, and whatever corrupts our natural flesh.

I think we could all learn from this. We should “shake off” our discontentment and instead be strong and refreshed in the promises of the Lord. He has called all of us and we must stay in His presence and in His Word, so we don’t get side tracked with the all the things of this world pulling at us, distracting us, or wearing us down. Remember what is precious to the Lord, what is of value to Him and live that out every moment. This was a word directed to Jeremiah, but it is also a word for each of us in our own personal life. I believe it can also be a word of truth on how we can view others too. What if we would see the “precious” in individuals and just allow any worthlessness, pride, conceit, or ugliness in them to basically diminish? As we choose to see the best in them, the potential in them, and what God has yet for them to fulfill, we then start seeing with the heart of the Lord.

My husband lived Jeremiah 15:19 daily. He would not speak badly about anyone. He never made fun of people and always chose to speak kindly (whether the person deserved it or not). We can each live like that. God changed my heart when I discovered this truth and now try to put it into practice. I do my best to live out this verse, although I am certainly not perfect at it… yet! But I do daily try to take the precious and let go of the vile. It’s hard work sometimes. I try to never join in when others gossip or make fun of someone. I pray that my heart is pure and pleasing to the Lord. Sometimes it means biting my tongue when it wants to wag. Sometimes that means not being a part of all the conversations that go around, separating from the temptation of gossip. When one makes fun of another, or spreads hurtful gossip, it really is out of pride trying to make yourself “look better” than someone else. But we don’t look good in the eyes of the Lord and we have just harmed one who has been created in His image.

We know there is evil out there and we need to be wise! I try to be discerning and leave what is in someone’s true heart in the Lord’s care, and then just do my best to be respectful. Only He knows who will repent and be captured by His goodness in order to turn and accept His love (think about Saul who became Paul).

Oh, Father in Heaven, help each of us to know what is valuable to You. Help us to separate ourselves and live godly lives. Help us to shake off any kind of discontentment with our lives and be satisfied in You. Let our hearts be clean before You. Teach us to see others with a heart like Yours, and Lord, can You just take our tongues and thoughts making them surrender to YOU? Amen.

 

May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.