A Treasure is Worth Digging For

Treasure bespeaks of riches. My 8-year old son would always light up in excitement when he sees a treasure map or a treasure chest. He would usually role-play that he is a treasure hunter searching for that great treasure in a forest. He would ask me to print out a treasure map and then he would happily go playing in search of the treasure. Sometimes, he even digs out the ground outside of our house in search of the treasure. And he says, if he found the treasure, he would have many jewels, be rich, and buy the things he likes! That is the idea of a treasure. Treasure is most coveted. But a treasure is not easily found. It has to be searched. Like diamonds and precious stones which are dug out from deep inside the earth, any treasure has to be thoroughly searched. A serious and painstaking effort of digging and searching.

Any treasure is worth digging for! And it is especailly true of the Word of God, the Bible. Have you ever thought of God’s Word as the greatest treasure you could ever have? It is a treasure that is incomparable to anything else. It gives fullness of life where no other earthly treasure could ever give to anyone. Not even great wealth or riches could give fullness of life.

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ” – Matthew 4:4 (WEB)

God’s Word is worth digging for! The Bible, God’s Word, is a treasure. It gives man the wisdom to live a peaceful and blessed life.

 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.” – Luke 11:28 (WEB)

If man could spend by the millions to dig out treasures and precious stones on earth, why not spend the same strength and time to dig out a more lasting treasure? Dig into His Word! It is free. It will not cost you fortunes. On the contrary, it will give you riches and life! Search the Scripture like you are searching for a treasure because only then you can discover and uncover precious truth for living. When you treat the Word of God as a treasure, you have that deep yearning for it. You see its value that surpasses wealth. And when you take hold of it, open it, and read it, you do not just stay on its surface. You go deep under every word and mine for the precious truth it teaches. You are not content with just mere reading but you spend time to study, understand, and seek for more. Why? Because you believe that God’s Word is life’s treasure.

“Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (WEB)

“Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul.Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever.Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold,sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.” – Psalm 19:7-10 (WEB)

It’s Not Without Cause

You look around, then, probably, you may have blamed God for allowing suffering and pain in this world. Some people have this kind of mindset. They think that because God is all-knowing and nothing escapes His knowledge, He must have the power to stop the grave problems of the world. Or why would God allow these things to happen? With just a click of His fingers, there will be peace. This is one very common aspect of blaming. People would always try to take out the blame onto someone else before realizing that the major part of the blaming scene is the “self”. This is as old as Adam and Eve. When God asked Adam if they ate the fruit of the tree which God had commanded them not to eat from (Genesis 3:11), Adam replied that it was Eve’s fault because she gave him the fruit (Genesis 3:12). And when God asked Eve, of course, it was the serpent’s fault (Genesis 3:13). So, are sin and suffering in this world, God’s fault? How can it be God’s fault when He is God? God is abounding in love, perfect in wisdom, and great in power. How can He allow great sin and suffering to ruin the world?

“I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7 (WEB)

“Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.” – Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (WEB)

Why can’t God stop this horrible pandemic? God allows suffering to both the righteous and the wicked. He also gives graces to both the righteous and the wicked. God is God. He is loving and He is just. Jesus taught this,

 “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” – Matthew 5:44-45 (WEB)

Every act of God is not without a cause. God gave a heavy message to the people of Israel through Prophet Ezekiel. God asked Israel to repent, return to Him, and turn away from idols (Ezekiel 14:6). God warned them that He would send severe judgement on them because of their evil deeds through the “sword, the famine, the evil animals, and the pestilence” (Ezekiel 14:21). The judgment of God was severe that man and animals will both be cut off from the land. But this is what God said concerning His judgement,

“They will comfort you, when you see their way and their doings; then you will know that I have not done all that I have done in it without cause,” says the Lord Yahweh.” – Ezekiel 14:23 (WEB).

When you look at the evil around you with the eyes of your limited understanding, you will tend to put all the blame to God. But when you see the evil around you through God’s perspective and wisdom, you will realize that His grace is at work. His justice is at work. His love is at work. The evil that is born in the hearts of mankind through one man’s sin (Romans 5:12) cannot be compared to the judgment of God which is done because of His longsuffering with mankind.

“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 (WEB)

Take a look at the evil around and look closely. Then you will understand that God’s judgment is a comfort. You will think that God is harsh for sending judgement out of His great love, mercy, and justice but others do not realize that the evil man commits is worst! It is beyond comprehension. The idolatry that man treasures and worships is far graver than God’s judgement. God said when you look at man’s evil deeds you will be consoled. Then you will realize, God had not done it without a cause (Ezekiel 14:23).

“Yahweh has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.” – Proverbs 16:4 (WEB)

Jesus is Alive

Pinned and scorned on the cross,
Sun greatly shadowed to darkness,
Earth moved and trembled at its loss,
The Temple’s curtain torn in grimness.

Three days He slept on the tomb,
His friends strickened with grief.
His disciples scattered in gloom.
They all mourned in quiet disbelief!

After three days, Mary Magdalene came,
In the darkness of the morning that day,
To look for the Savior who was slain!
But no! In that grave He did not stay!

The news came out like a ringing bell.
Roman guards were quite confounded.
“Is it true?” But they could hardly tell!
“Where is Jesus?” They were astounded!

“How could the stone be rolled away?”
All asked in excitement and bewilderment.
But Mary heard His voice and ran to say!
“I have seen the Lord!” in her amazement!

To Emmaus, two sad friends walking,
Cleopas and his friend, sadly discussed!
Suddenly a man joined in their talking.
He broke bread and they knew it’s Jesus!

They said, “The Lord has really risen!”
All His disciples listened with great intent.
Jesus appeared, “Don’t be frightened!”
“There’s forgiveness of sins for all who repent!”

But Thomas said, “I won’t believe!”,
“Unless I see Him with my own eyes”,
His faith falters, He surely can’t live,
Let me see His hands and touch His side!

Eight days later while doors were locked,
With them was Thomas still believing He’s dead.
Jesus suddenly appeared without a knock!
Looked at them; “Peace be with you”, He said.

Jesus called Thomas so His doubts be cast aside,
“Come and look at my hands,” Jesus claimed.
“Put your hand into the wound in my side.”
“My Lord and my God,” Thomas exclaimed.

Yes, it is true the Lord has risen! He lives.
He talks and walks to whoever believes.
He meets with you in every walk you lead.
No doubts can linger; His grace He gives!

Jesus is alive; death could not hold Him.
The grave is empty! Yes, He is alive!
Sin is deafeated and heavens rejoice!
Jesus is victory, hope, freedom, and life!

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