I love hymns. Don’t you? I love that God chose to ask us to worship Him in song. I love that He accepts singing, not only because it pleases Him, but that it benefits us. In Colossians 3:16, Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Songs help us to learn doctrine, understand His commands, and feel emotionally connected to His word.
One song that we sing helps us to express the feelings of love and appreciation we ought to have for Jesus. “More Precious than Silver” reminds us of the great treasure that we have in our most merciful Lord.
The song says, “Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds. And nothing I desire compares with You.” The meaning is very simple. Jesus is the most valuable thing I could ever hope for! No amount of money, no jewels, nor anything that I might covet in this life can hold a candle to the magnificent Savior, Creator and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Though He is God, Jesus humbled Himself by taking on the appearance of a man and suffered the humiliating, painful death of crucifixion to save mankind from sin (cf. Phil. 2:5-11) and offer us eternal life. And all He asks to receive this gift is to believe in Him (John 3:16), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Him as Lord (Matt. 10:32), submit to Him in baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21), and live faithfully until death (Rev. 2:10). What could be more precious than the Lord who makes eternal life so abundant (cf. John 10:10)?
What sin is worth holding onto instead of receiving eternal life? Romans 6:23 shows us clearly the foolishness of this choice, saying, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What temporary pleasure can compare to the eternal bliss of being in the company of Jesus?
Sadly, many will choose sin instead. Many still will choose to pick and choose what verses or commands they are willing to follow and ignore the rest. But, if Jesus is truly more precious to us than silver, gold, diamonds, or desires, then we should love and obey all of His word. Psalm 119:47-48 says, “And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.”
Is anything more precious to you than Jesus and His word? Jesus loves you and died for you. He gave you life, and He wishes to give it to you eternally. Don’t let worldly desires keep you from attaining the greatest treasure of all.