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A Word of Encouragement

By Graham M

The Hidden Treasures of Life

Over the centuries men all over the world have striven for treasure of some sort or other to make their lives better. The question would be, Is there any guarantee that they will find the treasure? Does it make their lives better in any way if they do find it? Will it last, and will it make them any happier?

It depends on what the treasure really is. The lure of gold, silver, precious stones, oil etc. has been going on since the beginning of time. Nations have come and gone (Babylon for example). It has caused wars, hardship and all manner of sorrows, and for a short time it may have given its owner some pleasure. The treasure that most men have striven for is elusive. There is no guarantee of ever finding it. There are lots of men who never found it and the hardships in life just carried on until they passed away.

What of those who did find it? Maybe they got a mention in the history books, maybe they got their photograph on a museum wall. But the sad thing about it all is that they, along with their treasures and their dreams, are all gone and they have perished just like God said they would. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. Matthew 6:19

God knows exactly what men will do to find treasure, and we find the very words in Job 28 from verse 11 People know how to mine silver and refine gold. 2 They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone. 3 They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore. 4 They sink a mineshaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. 5 Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire. 6 People know how to find sapphires and gold dust. 7 Treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon’s eye observe. 8 For they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures, no lion has set his paw there. 9 People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains. 10 They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones. 11 They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures. Men know about these things, don’t they? They have done so since the beginning of time. As we have just seen, God knew just to what extremes humans would go to get these treasures. The thing is, it is just for a moment, it doesn’t last. It doesn’t last because it is NOT REAL TREASURE. Only God has the real treasure. His is the only treasure that will last, and last forever. Let’s go to verse 12 of Job 2812 But do people know where to find “wisdom”? Where can they find understanding? 13 No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. 14 It is not here says the ocean, nor is it here says the sea. 15 It cannot be bought for gold or silver. 16 Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than the precious onyx stone or sapphires. 17 Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. There is nothing that compares to WISDOM. Only God knows where it can be found. He tells us and He tells all humanity. The fear of the Lord is true wisdom, to forsake evil is real understanding.

We are told in Revelation 21:6 To all who are thirsty, I will give the springs of the water of life without charge. God tells us that we can have His treasure and that it will lead to eternal life! What a wonderful hope! It is beyond the price of any worldly treasure. God tells us in Proverbs 4:20-22 Pay attention my child and do what I say, listen carefully, don’t lose sight of my words, let them penetrate deep within your heart. For they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.