A teenager had an opportunity to spend a day with a celebrity. The celebrity was a great poet, writer, and motivational speaker. That person gave a pencil as a gift to this teenager. The pencil became a treasure for this teenager. He kept it safe and used to take it out, look at it, and keep it. The pencil brought back the memory of his time with the celebrity.
People like to set apart certain things for themselves. Some are sentimental for them. They would never like to lose it. Psalmist sings that God sets apart for Himself, who are godly. (Psalms 4:3)
Joy:
When something is set apart, it brings joy to the owner. Though others may not value that, for him/her it is something precious and cannot afford to lose. The virgin girl lost one coin; she was relentless in search until she found it.
Purity:
Certain things are set apart as sacred. The firstborn animal is set apart for sacrifice unto God. (Exodus 13:12-13) The shepherds who heard the Good News, when the Lord Jesus was born, were taking care of sheep set apart for sacrifice in the Temple of Jerusalem. A Nazarite Vow is to keep oneself pure and holy unto the Lord. Many Christian families used to set apart their firstborn for missions and ministry.
Special Service:
Some furniture or vessels are set apart for the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar carried away the vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem, which were later desecrated by his successor Belshazzar. (II Kings 24:13; Daniel 5:2)) These vessels consecrated for the Temple cannot be used for ordinary or general purposes.
For God:
When God sets apart godly for Himself, the three aspects are applicable. God values His children and fellowship with them, and they are a joy for Him. The Lord chose the disciples so that they should be with Him, in love and fellowship. (Mark 3:14) God expects godly people to be like Him in Holiness. They are God’s instruments of righteousness used for His glory. (Romans 6:13)
Do I realize God has set me apart for Himself?