Sometimes our most precious things are overlooked. Health, for instance. We don’t think much about it until we run the risk of losing it; then it becomes very precious. And that’s just one of a lot of things. We tend to take for granted some of the really special things in life. For instance:

Your Bible. Do you know that the Bible is the only book that does what it does? It’s unique. It’s one of a kind, a genuine collectible with great value. It teaches you about God, how He has always been and will always be (). Actually, the Bible is the only book that tells you how to get out of this life alive. Think about that. It’s the one book that identifies what’s valuable and what’s not, what’s good and what’s bad, what’s right and what’s not. It’s really something, your Bible is.

Your mate. We just don’t realize the value of a good marriage it seems to me. God sure knew what He was doing when He gave us each other. “Two are better than one,” Solomon said. One will lift the other up. One will keep the other warm. They are like a threefold cord—not easily broken (). We protect one another, warn one another, encourage one another. We weep and rejoice over our children together. A good mate makes life bearable when it wouldn’t be otherwise. A good mate makes happiness happier, joy more joyful, love more lovely. How long since you thanked God for your husband or wife? How long since you thanked them for being your husband or wife? They’re so special!

Your friends. Friends are like beautiful weather; they make everything better. Food tastes better when it’s enjoyed with good friends. Joy is more sanguine when it’s shared with friends. Love is more sensitive when it’s relished in the presence of those who genuinely care for you. Mrs. Craik expressed it well. “Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, or measure words, but pour them all right out just as they are, chaff and gain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” “A friend loveth at all times,” Solomon said (). What a joy to have a friend—a true friend, one that loves you in spite of your warts.

Your brethren. It think it’s not without significance that God called his saints, “brethren,” for truly we are. Blood kinship is special; but how much more so those who are your kin in the Lord. We share as brethren: we laugh together, we cry together, we love together we worship together, we teach together, we work together, we hope together. We are bound to the same Father, share the same honor of salvation, entertain the same high thoughts of Heaven, endorse our common struggle and seek a common good for everyone. Truly, “we be brethren.”

Today. Time is such a precious commodity. To waste it is the height of folly. To use it well is the zenith of wisdom. Time is to be spent (). In fact, it will be spent—one way or the other—foolishly or wisely. And what better way to spend a day than in worship and service to God? What better way to use time than to pray and sing praises to our God? What better thing to do with our time than listen to His word and seek to apply it to our own personal needs? The Lord’s Day is just that—His day. It belongs to Him. We should seek Him in it, love Him in it, reverence Him in it. What a joy to spend the day with Him and with those you love!