A coin collection and ‘divine love’
(iStock)
My son recently started a coin collection. For those who rely solely on the plastic tap of cyber exchanges, the shocking preamble to this story is that physical money still actually exists in Canada. My husband, Zach, who has collected coins since he was a little boy spent time explaining to Creedence how to grade his coins. They flipped through a coin reference book (yes, physical books still orbit the globe as well). Zach started reading the prices for the more expensive coins that have sold at auction.
“That one is almost enough to buy a house!” I exclaimed, hearing the value of a tiny piece of metal. Our six-year-old, Desirae, commented that she didn’t have any coins worth that much.
“No,” Zach replied, “You’re poor.” I was surprised by his bluntness (and the lack of angst from the recipient).
“And she doesn’t care,” I commented as she skipped away to more urgent playtime matters.
“Of course not,” Zach replied. “She doesn’t need to have money right now.”
I started thinking about the teeny tiny sparrows and the lilies that neither toil nor spin (Matthew 6:26, 28). As God’s child, I too should be confident that my needs will be provided for—like Desirae trusts her daddy and like the sparrow trusts its Maker.
In January, I started reading through the Old Testament and noticed the number of animals that the Israelites were expected to sacrifice yearly. My Bible’s notes explained that the sacrificial requirements looked forward to God’s promise of a prosperous land that would supply plentiful resources for the people “able to provide for this lavish and expensive worship.” (ESV Study Notes on Numbers 28:1–29:40). The firstborn without blemish. The first fruits of the harvest. The three times per year trek to the meeting place to observe the holy festivals. “I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing,” David said (1 Chronicles 21:24).
I always thought of the sacrifices as obvious obligation for his chosen people. I had never considered that the cost would sting, or that hands would have to release something in faith that God would provide.
I always thought of the sacrifices as obvious obligation for his chosen people. I had never considered that the cost would sting, or that hands would have to release something in faith that God would provide what was needed afterward.
But think of the Father’s sacrifice! Did he not give up his own Son! Who can find a costlier sacrifice than the spilled blood of the Provider himself stooping low and offering himself? Is he not strong enough to provide us with everything we need for life and righteousness (2 Peter 1:3)? Sounds simple in theory, but the reality is messy.
In Deuteronomy, the Israelites’ wandering is described as going through the “vast and dreadful wilderness” (1:19). I’m sure you have encountered something vast and dreadful that has tested your endurance too!
We can be comforted by not only the wilderness testing and chastisement of the Israelites, but also the gentleness of their Redeemer! “There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son” (1:31). Or as Spurgeon said, “Had any other condition been better for you than the one you are in, divine love would have placed you there” (Morning and Evening). After God’s people have been tested for awhile, we will come out pure and radiant from that terrible place for the sake of His glory (1 Peter 1:6–7). This too is a mercy greater than we deserve!
