"I have a particular affinity for seals, and it started when I was young. Growing up in Montana, you do not find much to do once you finish plowing the fields, so you put food in cans, which is called canning (actually you use mason jars and cans are not involved at all - go figure).
At age five, I learned that in canning, if you failed to seal the jar lid on tight, things went very badly. Come winter, the bacteria that snuck in under the lid and had a party with the peaches during the months they were sitting on a shelf nets you rotten, disgusting, unidentifiable contents that you would not offer to your worst enemy. But, if you did it right, the way canning is supposed to happen - sterilized jar, filled to the top, and with the lid sealed tightly so that no air gets in - then you were guaranteed to eat like a king in the winter. And that guarantee was definitely worth the wait!
Fast-forward to fifth grade, and meet my best friend, Marce. We were kindred spirits. Deeply devoted to one another, as only ten-year-olds can be, we decided to forever seal our friendship with a solemn oath. We packed a picnic, found a park with a stream, stood teetering on two rocks in the middle of the water, clasped hands, and repeated words of undying love, sealing our friendship forever. It was guarantee ... a sure thing. Eighteen years and memories later, I stood in her wedding and felt the deep satisfaction of a true and lasting friendship.
And then there was the time when another kind of seal saved my life. In 1998, I was on a sailing trip to the Bahamas in rough waters. I was a weak swimmer, and was one-hundred yards from the boat when suddenly my asthma kicked in. Frozen airways, one scream for help, and then I see my husband, just like the hero in the movies, dive off the boat and swim to save me. His arms circled about me, sealing me to him, as he dragged me back to safety. His arms kept me to him, kept me afloat, and kept me alive.
But, by far, the best seal of all is found in Ephesians 1:13-14. It says that GOD, the Holy Spirit, is our SEAL, guaranteeing our salvation! Just like the canning seal, the Holy Spirit keeps us from eating the rotten stuff sin offers. Like the seal of friendship, the Holy Spirit keeps us connected to GOD, deepening our friendship through time and experience together. And like the seal of life-saving arms, the Holy Spirit puts His arms around us and takes us to safety through trials of life over and over again, ultimately setting our feet on heavenly ground, safe for eternity.
Can the seal be broken? Yeah, it can. But Hebrews 13:5 says it will never be GOD who breaks that seal. When we accept and choose Him as our personal Savior and Friend for life, that is exactly what we get ... for life, for eternity. It is SEALED! It is guaranteed!"
Encounter The Word
Read Ephesians 1, and then give special attention and meditation to the following passage:
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal. the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Some Encounter Questions
- Have you said YES to God, to His seal in your life, guaranteeing your eternity with Him? If yes, then thank Him right now for such an incredible promise and guarantee. If not, what are you waiting for?
- Seal Assessment: Is there any rotten stuff in your life that you need the Holy Spirit to get rid of? How is the strength of your friendship with GOD? Any area need to be tightened up? Where in your life do you need to scream, "Help!" to GOD and let Him get you through? His arms are ready to keep holding you tight and get you through any crisis, if you let Him. Is it a sealed promise!
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