Malachi 3:17
“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession…” (NIV)
Just last week I was walking across our school campus, enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze, when I asked the Lord a simple question, “Why?”
There is something I have asked the Lord for that He simply has not answered the way I want Him to. I search the scriptures and find many passages telling me that what I am asking for is a good thing to desire. Yet, for some reason that I don’t understand, He has said, “No.”
But on this day, I wasn’t asking Him why in anger or frustration, I was asking Him with a broken heart, “Why?” I humbly talked to Him about what I was feeling. It evoked the feelings of not being good enough to have this one thing my heart has ached for.
As soon as that vulnerability surfaced, I quickly squashed it and went about the rest of my day.
On Saturday morning, when I had my quiet time with the Lord, I felt Him prompt me to pick up my Bible and just read. Lately I have been reading the Bible on my phone, but I felt led to put the phone down and actually touch the pages of His Word. I listened. I opened it to Malachi 3. My eyes fell on the phrase I had underlined, “treasured possession.” My eyes then jumped to the commentary at the bottom of the page where I had underlined, “According to 1 Peter 2:9, believers are God’s treasured possession.” (NIV Life Application Bible)
I sat with my Bible in my lap and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my heart. He wanted me to know that although I am not hearing a yes, I am His treasured possession. He isn’t saying, “No,” because I’m not good enough. I am good enough because I am His treasured possession!
I then flipped over to 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV) I read that a good five or six times.
God knew exactly what I needed to hear. He treasures me.
I debated whether or not to write this. It feels so raw and vulnerable, yet I’m thinking you may be able to relate. So I share this with you to encourage you. You are treasured by the God of the Universe!
