Lapidary: One who cuts, polishes and engraves precious stones.

Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJV)

Psalm 17:15 – As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. (NKJV)

Just think what we have awaiting us when we see Jesus and our heavenly home for the first time. We can hardly imagine the joy that will be ours then.

I paid close attention to our pastor, Dr. John Williamson, as he began speaking about how in heaven everyone will reveal an entirely different characteristic of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since He is God, it will take all of us together to fully reveal who He is. Our individual differences will manifest a distinct part of who He is. Collectively we will be like one many-faceted, brilliant diamond, each facet revealing part of the whole as seen from a different angle. God's grace allows us the privilege of knowing Him. It will take all eternity to accomplish this.

The grace of God that is ours won't be clearly revealed in us until the Lord starts the unveiling when He gathers all His children to Himself in the eternal kingdom. We experience some of His grace now, but it's like the Bible says, "We see through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV). No wonder Paul said, "To be with Christ … is far better" (Philippians 1:23).

While I listened to the sermon, I remembered a poem I wrote long ago, after reading through Malachi.

Malachi 3:16-17 – Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (NKJV)

The Lapidary

Apply Your light, Lord, reveal outward sin,
then search out all evil hidden deep within.
Scrub 'till it hurts right down to the shine.
Mold, cut, and polish,
by any means You design.

In Your book of remembrance
we will thus find our place
among all the others
who are saved by Your grace.

On the day we're displayed
with splendor we'll shine,
as we all hear You say,
"These Jewels, they are Mine."

Amy Woolf Garner ©1987

Prayer: Lord, fit us to reflect Your splendour. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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