MY WEDDING RING
Mary and I have been married for 46 years, and at the time we got married, an investment was made in buying rings for each other. Money was paid at the jeweller’s shop, and the rings became ours to wear every day. Something similar happens when we come to Christ: the precious blood of Christ was paid as a ransom for our sins; we were REDEEMED; and we are now “married” to Him (Isaiah 62:4, 5; 2 Corinthians 11:2). Hallelujah!
When we consider a gold wedding ring, often much is made of it representing an unbroken bond of love, but for me it is also a constant reminder of all the refinement that the gold went through to become a ring, and how a continuation of being REFINED in my married life is necessary for me. For a Christian, the difficulties and pains that we sometimes go through are the very means that the Lord uses for our refinement (Malachi 3:3; 1 Peter 1:6, 7; Job 23:10).
There is an interesting passage in Numbers 31: Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is what is required by the law that the Lord gave Moses: Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be purified with the water of cleansing. (v 21 – 23)
Israel were required to attack their enemies, the Midianites, and their property to be taken as plunder. Notice the metals taken were to be refined through fire AND purified with water. Why would this additional requirement be necessary; after all, fire destroys all contaminants?
Some years ago, my wedding ring needed adjustment in order to comfortably fit my finger. When it came back from the jeweller, it was not only adjusted, but had been cleaned and polished and looked just like it did when it was in the jeweller’s shop at the time it was first purchased. Gone were all the minor scratches and defects; the ring had been RENEWED for its continuing purpose. We, too, are like that wedding ring, needing to be constantly brought back to the original condition that our Heavenly Craftsman intended. How can that be accomplished? Jesus prayed to His Father, My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:16, 17)
As we stand, will we make the investment necessary to ensure we are continually cleansed by God’s word (the word of truth) that causes us to be RENEWED for His purposes? There are so many helpful Bible reading plans available these days. Whichever you choose, let’s stick at it so that we remain a sparkling treasure in God’s hand.
