Did you know that a beautiful pearl is formed as a result of an irritant? It is just amazing how such a beautiful thing that is so well sought after was formed because of an irritant. This again is evidence that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) and His ways are most inspiring and impressive!
When an irritant becomes lodged in the soft tissue that lines the oyster shell, to protect itself, the oyster produces a coating to encase the irritant. This coating, called nacre, or Mother of Pearl, builds up in many thin layers creating an iridescent cover over the irritant and the resulting creation is a real gem, a most beautiful pearl.
Because of sin we are just like that irritant; however, when God looks upon us He does not see the irritant, but what we would look like through the redeeming layers of Christ’s love, a goodly pearl. Very soon, the Merchantman is coming for His goodly pearls to take us home to live with Him forever.
“Christ, the heavenly merchantman seeking goodly pearls, saw in lost humanity the pearl of price. In man, defiled and ruined by sin, He saw the possibilities of redemption. Hearts that have been the battleground of the conflict with Satan, and that have been rescued by the power of love, are more precious to the Redeemer than are those who have never fallen. God looked upon humanity, not as vile and worthless; He looked upon it in Christ, saw it as it might become through redeeming love. He collected all the riches of the universe, and laid them down in order to buy the pearl. And Jesus, having found it, resets it in His own diadem. ‘For they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land.’ Zechariah 9:16. ‘They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.’ Malachi 3:17.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 118.
Jesus is seeking His goodly pearls; He is the heavenly Merchantman seeking for us. God sees in us a goodly pearl through the merits of Jesus. A pearl is something precious. You and I are precious. Our hearts which have been the battleground in the conflict with Satan have been rescued by the power of the love of God and are more precious to Him than are those who have never fallen.
Jesus paid a high price, giving up all heaven to come to this earth to willingly sacrifice his life for us in order to purchase the goodly pearls, you and me. He paid for us with His own blood, to rescue us from the devil’s clutches and to restore us to His kingdom, resetting us as precious jewels in His own diadem.
Oh Lord, I want to be that goodly pearl. I choose not to be an irritant any longer. Just as that little irritant in the oyster is covered by layers of Mother of Pearl, cover me with those layers of Christ’s agape love over and over again so that I may come forth as a goodly pearl. I want to be ready for the Merchantman when He comes to collect His goodly pearls. Amen.
Turn this Key to the Storehouse and those layers of love will begin to cover you.