19 A perfect ending

What could be better? Two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games! Tom Daley’s second gold medal in the 10-metres platform diving in Delhi was hailed as one of the best displays of his fledgling career. As one paper reported: “the splash was minimal; the score was maximal.” It was a perfect ending as the seven judges each displayed their scores of 10 (a rare event in diving competitions), for nailing his inward 3½ somersaults in pike position. It was a stunning lifetime’s achievement for a sportsperson in any discipline. It was an outstanding achievement for a 16-year old! The decision to try and complete his homework between rounds was clearly a good distraction from the pressure of the event. It was another great day for England, which crept higher up the table of medals.

Despite this great achievement there is something more precious than gold, whether it’s a medal or minted into coins. The answer is not platinum, or diamonds, but the fact that God has spoken to the world. The words of God are infinitely valuable for us all: ‘heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away’ (Mt 24v35). The precious nature of the word of God was expressed by the Psalmist struggling to express how important they’d become to him: ‘the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward ’ (Ps 19v9-11). Having gold coins, jewels, plates or medals may well bring power, wealth and fame. But this fades into the background when we begin to engage with what is more precious than gold – the word of the LORD. For as we engage with what has been spoken (the Holy Bible), we learn of the character of God and His purpose for our lives. The LORD God alone can secure a perfect ending through the work of His Son: Jesus Christ scored a perfect 10 for us who can’t and never could achieve gold! This counts for all who put their trust in Jesus as the Christ who died for us.

So, let’s not forget what Jesus has done for us and let’s look to the Bible as God’s precious word for today.

Paul Kingman.

Nov 2010.