GOLD FOR OUR FUTURE

Gold is a valuable gem and it represents different things for different people. Some view it as financial security for the future. Others consider it something to strive for, to give them popularity or high social standing. Emotions can run high at the mention of gold—awe, fear, envy, resentment, pride, reverence. How do you feel about gold?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Golden Promises

Never have I enjoyed autumn colors as much as during my recent trip to Calumet, Michigan. My eight-day stay required making daily visits to eye clinics for a close relative, up and down the Keweenaw Peninsula. For miles and miles, the trees along roadsides and on the mountains paraded their vivid reds, bright oranges, and golden hues of every shade. The pleasure of such astounding beauty eclipsed any discomfort I felt from my hours of driving.

The yellows and golds dominated the landscape. What a warm, joyful color! The colors yellow and gold are known to stimulate the mental process and nervous system, activate the memory, and bring happiness. Conversely, the same colors signify cowardice or deceit, as considered in the familiar saying, “He’s yellow-bellied.” The term “yellow journalism” is associated with sensationalism. In some cultures, yellow symbolizes liberalism. In others, it represents greed.

The Bible also tells about the color gold. Psalm 19:9-10 states, “The fear of the Lord is clean … the judgments of the Lord are true … more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold.”

Not only is the color gold used to describe the precious nature of God’s Word, it is also used to describe knowledge. “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.” (Proverbs 8:10) Even our faith is considered more precious than gold. “…the genuineness of your faith (is) much more precious than gold that perishes.” (1 Peter 1:7)

In the book of Revelation, John also records God’s new heaven as having streets of gold. God showed him a new heaven and earth, “and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” (Revelation 21:21) 

The entire twenty-first chapter tells about the beauty and perfection of God’s residence, a place meant “only for those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (verse 27) Our streets of gold leaves are but a glimpse of the beauty He has promised when we reside with Him in His new place forever. When the golden leaves of autumn are in their death throes, we realize that the world we live in now is imperfect. But the pure gold of our faith, our obedience, and our heartfelt devotion to Him, will last forever.

Lord, we look forward to a life of golden perfection and beauty when we meet You face to face. Thank You for Your faithful promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.