The Most Valuable Thing This World Affords

The Word of God is very precious. In fact, of all the things that the heart of man can desire, there is nothing more dear, more precious or more to be desired than the Word of God. It brings life and light to all who are touched by it.

When the British sovereigns are crowned, they are presented with their own copy of the Word of God, and are told that it is the most valuable thing that this world affords.

At the coronation of Elizabeth II, now the longest reigning monarch in history, as she was crowned Queen, she was presented with a Bible, which she kissed, and was told . . . “Our gracious Queen: to keep your Majesty ever mindful of the law and the Gospel of God as the Rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; This is the Royal Law; These are the lively Oracles of God.”

It has been thus since Bible days. We read of the coronation of Joash in the Second Book of Kings: “And he [Jehoiada the priest] brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.” 2 Kings 11:12

Not only that, we read that a pillar, believed to be that sacred stone which went with our ancient ancestors during their wanderings in the wilderness, played a significant part in the coronation ceremony. “…. Behold the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was . . .” 2 Kings 11:14 This, too, has remained to this day, except the kings and queens no longer stand beside the pillar. A chair was made to contain the pillar for the coronation of Edward I in 1297, and so the kings and queens have since sat upon the pillar.

In the Book of Deuteronomy, instructions are given to all the sovereigns of God’s people Israel. They are to treasure the Word of God above all else. “And it [God’s Word] shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.” Deuteronomy 17:19-20

The WORD of GOD is indeed the most valuable thing this world affords. It is life and light and everything good. It is eternal, true and sure. Times change, but God’s Word will never change. Like it’s author, it remains the same from age to age, and will never pass away.

The Word of God tells us that we have been made kings and priests unto our God and that we shall rule and reign with Him as our exalted head, King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10, etc.). As such, it behooves us to treasure the Word of God, and to build our very lives upon it as a sure foundation that will never shake. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms 1:1-3