Precious

The word precious means highly esteemed or valued, of great worth or price, cherished, priceless, dear. Our children are precious to us. We call our liberty precious. The memory of our loved ones is precious.

The word ‘precious’ is found only sixteen times in the New Testament (KJV), and seven of those times are found in the books of I and II Peter. For some reason, I find it hard to imagine Simon Peter using the word ‘precious’ as he tended to and completed the tasks on his fishing boat, but as he grew in the love of His Savior, precious became a much-used word.

I Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

IPeter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

I Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

I Peter 2:6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

I Peter 2:7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

II Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:

II Peter 1:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Walking with Jesus changed Peter. The Holy Spirit changed Peter. Though his reactions were sometimes brash when he first met Jesus, he learned moderation, gentleness and compassion. He learned to view his Lord and his faith as precious.

When you think of the word precious, does Jesus come into your mind? Do you consider your relationship with Father as precious?

Perhaps we can learn a lot from this fisherman.