In today’s part II of our treasure hunt into the wonderful world of the Bible, I have unearthed five precious Scripture verses that I pray will get you more excited to go on your own treasure hunt into God’s Word. It’s like mining for precious gems and gold.
(Psalm 119:72)
“The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”
Gold is a valuable asset – it can buy all kinds of valuable things. But if I found myself on a deserted island the one possession I would desire above all else would be to own a Bible. You see while gold can get you stuff, the Bible is far greater because it can give you wisdom, peace, joy, and eternal life. My friends, while only a few of us can own large amounts of gold, all of us can own the most valuable physical possession I know – a Bible. Just as the psalmist cherished the Word of God in (Psalm 119) we too should make Bible reading the most wonderful part of our day.
(Matthew 13:45-46)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
I don’t know about you but this parable, while short, is a magnificent illustration of salvation and how infinitely valuable it is. While salvation is hidden from most people it is so valuable that when God reveals it to a person they are willing to give up all that they have to possess it. Salvation through Christ is revealed throughout the New Testament and is the most treasured possession a person can possess. As one reads and studies the Bible this “pearl of great price” is available to anyone who is willing to forsake all for Christ.
(Psalm 119:18)
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”
Back on March 28, 2022 I did an entire devotion on this special verse called, Wondrous Things! In that devotion I shared the following observations: “As I read my Bible I get to eavesdrop on the conversations of Jesus; the Creator of the universe. I get to learn what God’s will is for my life and how I can play a part in advancing His wonderful kingdom on earth. I get to learn how to experience peace and joy even in the trials of life. I learn that because I have a personal relationship with Jesus I get to spend eternity with Him when I pass from this brief time here on planet earth. And as amazing and wonderful, as these things are, I get to meditate on the holy Scriptures throughout the day – and this is my greatest delight.”
(2 Corinthians 4:17)
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
We are told in (2 Corinthians 4:17) when we endure the momentary light afflictions in our lives, by being obedient to God’s Word, we will see this investment in the Lord’s work producing for us, “…an eternal weight of glory…” Imagine having a bank account which has as its value, “an eternal weight of glory.” God has a wonderful plan for each of us and He is using our afflictions and trials for eternal purposes. We need not analyze everything God does but instead just trust Him in everything. As we do this we will learn to love Jesus more and this world less.
(Hebrews 12:2)
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Can joy and suffering coexist? The Bible tells us not only can they, but they should, in the life of any Christian that is walking in the will of the Lord. In this verse we see that we are the joy that gave Jesus the strength to go to the cross because He knew by doing so we could be reconciled to Himself; and what joy that must have brought Him. In this verse Jesus, rather than look at the cross as an instrument of ultimate pain, torture, and suffering, chose to look at it as an instrument of ultimate glorification to the Father. We, likewise, when we suffer for the gospel, can experience great joy because we know we are doing something that is pleasing to the Lord. Knowing that by enduring suffering, I can bring glory to God, at least for me, gives me great joy.
While we have come to the end of our treasure hunt together, I pray that you will memorize these five verses and start your own treasure hunt into exploring the greatest book known to man – the Bible!