In the world there are many things held as precious. A newborn baby, a toddler taking the first steps, a new puppy or kitten and the list could go on. It warms one’s heart to see such things. Precious can be defined as an object, substance, or resource. A thing of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly. It is of no surprise that there are things “precious” to God.
Each individual person is precious to God. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12). Perhaps that is why the Apostle Peter would write that man should, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Many know about Jesus but fail to realize that He shows just how precious everyone is to God. God sent Jesus to die so that man could have the opportunity to live eternally.
Those who think they are useless and of no worth should consider that God thinks they are “precious”. One should never give up on life, they should look for God and His guidance through His word.
God knowing that each one is “precious” is also seen in how God views the importance of man’s soul. Man is not like the animals for, “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). God created man and gave man all he needed to survive when man was placed in the Garden of Eden. God also gave his creation the ability to choose his own direction. Man made the wrong decision when he listened to Satan (Gen. 3), yet God did not turn His back on man. He gave man the opportunity to come back to Him (Gen. 3:15).
God determined a plan for man’s salvation that rested in Christ. That plan was carried out and man can obey God and be saved. God counting everyone as “precious” is seen in Him giving man His inspired word.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The Psalmist wrote that, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7a). When one investigates the word, they find love that surpasses anything known to man. Deity was willing to give man the opportunity of salvation by sacrificing one of the Godhead. Jesus showed His care for man just a bit before His arrest and crucifixion. He stood and looked over the city of Jerusalem and said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37).
God holds everyone as “precious”, and this is seen in His promises to man. Promises made by men sometimes are broken, but God does not break His promises. Peter wrote about God’s promise, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God has promise eternal life to all who obey Him, on that all can count.
Study God’s word and obey it just as it is given. Everyone has the same opportunity for God counts all individuals as “precious”.