GOD’S SPECIAL TREASURE

Imagine a throne room. Seated on the throne is a great king. A large, impressive chest sits at the king’s feet. From time to time the king reaches down and runs his hands through the contents. What’s in it? The rarest, most expensive jewels, gold and gemstones you’ve ever seen! This chest holds the king’s treasures, a collection that brings him great happiness.

The Hebrew word for this treasure is segulah, and it means “special possession”. That word is found in such Old Testament passages as Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6 and Psalm 135:4, where it refers to the people of Israel. But that same image shows up in the New Testament in Peter’s first letter. He’s describing the “people of God”, those who “have received mercy” (1 PETER 2:10), a collection of people now beyond the nation of Israel. In other words, he’s talking about those who believe in Jesus, both Jew and gentile. And he writes, “You are . . . God’s special possession” (V.9).

Imagine that! The great and powerful King of heaven thinks of you as an important part of His special treasure. He has rescued you from the grip of sin and death. He claims you as His own. The King’s voice says, “This one I love. This one is mine.”