“His Dearness is Our Value!” Isaiah 40: 21-26 Key verse(s): 25: “‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’”
“What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly.”
A thing of great value is precious. It is something that we guard and use wisely. I feel that way about the time God has given me on this earth to accomplish His will. But, there will always come a time when, because something of great value hangs in the balance, we will exchange that preciousness to anoint that which we hold dear.
At age 16 Andor Foldes was already a skilled pianist, but he was experiencing a troubled year. In the midst of the young Hungarian’s personal struggles, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to Budapest. Emil von Sauer was famous not only for his abilities; he was also the last surviving pupil of the great Franz Liszt. Von Sauer requested that Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. When he finished, von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. “My son,” he said, “when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, ‘Take good care of this kiss--it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.’ I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, but now I feel you deserve it.” (Sermon Illustrations.com)
When Christ came into this world, He brought with Him a treasure of great value. The salvation that He offered us through the dearness of His sacrifice could not be compared to any other treasure on earth. He bestows this value on us daily. When we are weak, He is strong.
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