Psalm 12:6, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
I was blessed with good grandparents. I remember vividly the days my mom and dad let me spend in my grandparent’s homes. One particular time often comes to mind. I was at my mom’s parents home and my granny had been canning some vegetables and fruits. She took me to the place where the cans were stored and said, “Ronnie, let me show you our preserves.” The shelves were filled with mason jars of fruits and vegetables. My granny was very thankful for what they had and had a big smile when she showed me the results of their hard work. It was Papa and Granny’s shelf of preserves.
Our study verse teaches us about something on God’s shelf of preserves. The Word of God, by the Lord’s work and power, is preserved and kept. In this verse, it’s as if the Lord is showing us His shelf of preserves. By this verse alone, we can conclude that somewhere on this earth, there is a faithful copy of God’s inspired Word. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Word is given by inspiration, and by the truth declared in Psalm 12:6 we believe this Word is preserved by God that gave it. When we say it is preserved, we are not saying that God has promised to preserve the original manuscripts, but we are saying that God has preserved His Word. Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
When we look at this shelf (in the Bible) we see more than just His Word being preserved. In Matthew 16:18 the Lord teaches us that His Church is preserved. In 1 Corinthians 15:24, the Apostle Paul tells us that the last day, when the Lord appears in the clouds to take us home, the kingdom (Church) will be “delivered up.” In order for it to be delivered up, it would have to be present in this world. The Lord’s Church will be somewhere on earth when He returns to take His people home to glory.
In the book of Jude we read of another preserve that God keeps on His shelf, it’s His children. I searched through my old records and found something I wrote on this subject a few years ago. I‘m very happy to tell you that I still believe the same about the subject. The following was submitted to Share the Word Publications which was edited by my precious friend Elder Bobby Willis (who has already passed and gone home to be with the Lord):
Jude vs 1, “Jude a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:”
My prayer this morning is for the children of God to be comforted in the Eternal Preservation of God’s grace. The Bible is clear that none of the elect will be eternally lost because they are preserved in Jesus Christ our Lord. Once saved by grace, a child of God is eternally kept by grace (preserved). And you may ask, “What are some verses of scripture that prove this precious truth?” Including the verse previously cited, some of my favorite to teach this subject are:(1) John 10:27-30, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”(2) Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(3) Psalms 37:23-24, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, aren’t you thankful for God’s shelf of preserves? I am so thankful and rejoice in the truth, comfort and peace found in God’s word. The Lord preserved/preserves His Word (the Bible), His Church, and His children. Glory be to God for His power, grace and mercy toward sinners like me. Amen!