There are many stages in the preparation of a precious stone, and different instruments are used. We have looked at the hammer, the saw and the tumbler. A grinder may also be used to polish the stone, and then finally it is rubbed with a cloth until it has a mirror-like finish.
Polished Stones – 4
It takes time to prepare precious stones, and many processes are used. The same is true in our Christian lives! It takes time for our lives to be changed, and God uses many different ways. One of the processes used to polish stones is the tumbler.
Polished Stones – 3
Sapphires, diamonds and rubies are precious stones, but their true beauty can only be seen when they are polished. The first step in that process is to knock off pieces of debris with a hammer. Let’s look now at the second step.
Polished Stones – 2
In 1 Peter we are described as ‘living stones’ who are being built into a spiritual house. What kind of stone are you? Let’s look at the process that is used to polish a stone as there are important lessons we can learn. First of all a hammer is used to knock off pieces of debris and dirt. It says in Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my Word like a hammer – that breaks a rock into pieces?”
Polished Stones – 1
One country renouned for precious stones is Myanmar. During a trip some years ago we visited a museum there and marvelled at the sapphires, rubies, pearls and jade. As beautiful as they were, it pales into insignificance compared to the glory of heaven, which is described as ‘a very precious jewel’.
Wait on the Lord – 5
There is another interesting fact we can learn about the eagle. It has excellent eyesight, with eyesight that is four times sharper than humans. An eagle can see a rabbit in a field from up to a mile away. God wants us to see things from his perspective. He sees the big picture and has perfect understanding. In Isaiah 40:28 it says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Wait on the Lord – 4
The eagle is capable of soaring high into the sky, not by flapping its’ wings, but by spreading them out and allowing the wind to carry him up. This is the picture we see in Isaiah 40:31, ‘They will soar on wings like eagles …’
For the eagle to make these magnificent flights it needs time to rest.
Wait on the Lord – 3
God has made a wonderful provision for us – he offers us his strength in exchange for our weakness. How is this possible? First of all we need to believe he will do this for us. In Isaiah 40:28-29 it says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Wait on the Lord – 2
In Isaiah 40 it says, ‘even young men will stumble and fall; but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.’ What makes us stumble and fall?
First of all, our own failures do! King David was very honest about his own failures.
Wait on the Lord – 1
Most of us don’t like waiting! That is particularly true for those of us who live in cities! However in the Word of God it says, ‘Blessed are all who wait for him’ and it also tells us that those who wait for the Lord will not be disappointed.
