Pearls on Black Velvet

Phil. 2:14-16a, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life......."

When a jeweler wants to showcase a beautiful white string of pearls, he often displays it against a background of black velvet. The contrast between the black velvet and the pearls causes the luster, the color, the quality, and the beauty of the pearls to shine forth.

When God wants to showcase a bright, shining testimony of faith in Him, He often displays it against the background of adversity. When all is going well for Christians, the world thinks, "Why shouldn't they trust God? He has been so good to them and given them so much." But when problems, trials, sickness, and death come into our lives, and we still love and trust our Heavenly Father, the world sits up and takes notice. We have a unique platform from which to assure others of God's continual faithfulness and goodness.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You love us just as much when we go through the valleys of life as when we are on the mountaintops. May our faith in You and Your love and goodness be constant regardless of our circumstances, so that Your Word and Your love will shine forth through us to a dark, depraved world. Amen.