Proverbs 3:3-4, “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”
Mercy and truth are two of the most important qualities we can possess. They can be our guiding light in life, giving us direction and helping us to make wise decisions. This ancient proverb reminds us that mercy and truth should never be forgotten or forsaken. It encourages us to bind them around our necks, write them on the tablet of our hearts, and find favor with both God and man.
Don’t forget to keep mercy and truth close to your heart. Let them guide you and make sure you never lose sight of them. Showing kindness and being honest will bring forth favor from God and man alike, helping you find success both in the spiritual and physical world.
Favor is a powerful tool that God has given us to journey through life and reach our destiny. Our journey through life is filled with many challenges, hardship, pain and difficulties. Through these tough times we need favor from God to bring us hope in the midst of darkness and despair. This favor comes in form of Emerald; a precious stone that symbolizes God’s favor over His righteous people.
Ezra 7:1-10, “Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”
Emerald brings hope, courage and strength as we travel through our life. It helps us stay close to Jesus as He guides us on our journey to discover our true purpose in life. As the Scripture says “It is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You, surround him with favor as with a shield” [Psalm 5:12]. So let us be grateful for this special gift from above and accept Emerald as our Guardian Stone of Favor during this sixth step toward understanding our calling, purpose and destiny in life with God.
As we journey towards our calling, purpose, and destiny in life with God through the power of Jesus Christ, it is important to acknowledge the help that we have from Him. This help comes in many forms but one of those is favor. The Emerald, also known as the Guardian Stone of Favor, symbolizes this grace from God. It serves as a reminder that God blesses us with favor and surrounds us with it like a shield. It is much more valuable than gold or any other material possession; in fact, favor far surpasses mere wealth because it is divinely ordained blessing that enriches our lives.
Psalms 84:1-12, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts blessed is the one who trusts in you!”
Have you ever noticed how some people seem to have luck and favor on their side, no matter what life throws at them? What would it be like if you could have the same protection?
The Bible speaks of a special stone called “Emerald,” a stone which brings specialized favor from God. In Psalm 5:12, King David revealed that it is God who blesses the righteous with favor and surrounds them with a shield of protection. It is amazing to realize that while earthly treasure like gold or silver may wear out, the favor of God can never be taken away.
The Emerald stone represents this divine protection and blessings. As we take our sixth step on our journey toward our purpose in life with God, through Jesus Christ; this favorable guardian symbolically secures us with an encircling wall of love and safety as we walk closer to Him.
Isaiah 54:11-17, “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. Behold, I have created the smith Who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose.
Psalms 91:11-16, “I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
