I love to find treasures in God’s Word that open up new thoughts about His love for me. God is always seeking creative ways to express His affection. I love the illustration He used to help Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, understand the amazing relationship God chose to establish with His servant. “I will treat you like a signet ring on my finger … for I have chosen you.” What an incredible perspective! God’s view of us is always so much better than our own.

A signet ring (sign-et) was a sign of power and authority. It represented the identity of the king. It was, in fact, the king’s seal. Any document that bore its impress was the official word of the king. The seal established its authenticity.

When God gave Joseph the ability to interpret Pharaoh’s troubling dreams about the groups of seven cows and the sheaves of grain, Pharaoh said, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh did an amazing thing to this forgotten captive. He removed his signet ring, placed it on the prisoner’s finger, and said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”

Is that what God is longing for us to understand about the partnership He desires? Imagine yourself in that role—a signet ring on the finger of God. You are the impress of God—a symbol of His power and authority to redeem—His representative of grace.

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Conference communication director and Lake Union Herald editor.