10292022 Treasure

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of true riches. He has riches infinitely beyond human comprehension, and He allows us to partake of those riches.

Lately I have been interested in the story of a treasure hunt in Nova Scotia. For hundreds of years, men have sought this treasure, often giving large portions of their lives in its pursuit. Some have died in the attempt. Even when they have thought they knew the precise location of the treasure, various obstacles have prevented them from reaching it. Apparently none have had success. In truth, there are so many theories about the treasure that they don’t even know what they are looking for.

This story prompted my thoughts in various ways. I am glad that there are no mysteries with God. There is nothing hidden from Him. He has all wisdom and all knowledge. There is no puzzle that He cannot solve. “Of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).

God has all might. He accomplishes everything that He intends to accomplish. No obstacle is greater than He is. No opposition can stand before Him. “Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places” (Psalm 135:6). “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought [nothing You have thought to do?] can be withholden from thee” (Job 42:2).

There is no situation, challenge, or danger that will take God’s life. There is nothing to be worked out that will prove impossible to achieve within God’s lifetime. He will never have to pass the responsibility on to someone else. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

God’s treasure is so much more enduring than man’s treasure. In this human treasure hunt, there has been evidence of damage through breakage and through corrosion. Even if men eventually find this treasure, it will soon be lost, stolen, spent, or passed on to a younger generation. God’s treasure doesn’t damage. It endures. “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4). “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Corinthians 5:1).

God’s endeavors have purpose. When God starts something, He will finish it. There is no futile, year-after-year or century-after-century, pursuit that keeps turning up empty. There are sometimes lengthy and extended workings, but they end in success. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished” (Luke 18:31).

God teaches us to lay up treasures that really matter. This requires investment. What a sad thought that men will spend decades of their lives and possibly millions of dollars in investment to try to find a corruptible treasure (that they may never find). Their effort and investment are wasted. God’s treasure is so much different. Yes, it requires a great investment of time, energy, and resources. It demands an entire lifetime. It demands our heart and our soul. We must give our all. But the returns! When we invest in God’s “treasure hunt,” there will be great rewards. We also might labor for years without seeing many rewards, but they are being laid up for us in incredible fashion. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Thank you for choosing to invest in the right kind of treasure. May God bless that investment this week by adding to your eternal treasure. And may He give you strength and wisdom for the pursuit.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA