“Let’s read from the text”, said my children as we settle down to our story time. Then, they took the Bible and handed over to me.
I’ve been familiar with the stories, mostly of the faithful servant of God, which are recorded in the Bible. But as we read again from the text, there are several treasures hidden in between the lines. Some of the best part are nullified or ignored by just telling it as stories.
Still, we have another problem; I easily get tired due to my poor health and prolonged treatment, which makes me wanted to throw up or felt dizzy very easily. So I tend to rushed through our reading, skimming few verses in between.
“Ah! You look tired”, said my son, “you take rest for now.” So we called it a day; assuming we’d continue reading tomorrow if our health allowed us, said our prayers, as we retired ourselves to rest.
Skimming the Best Part:
There are treasures hidden in the word of God. Meditating on the word does help in recovering those treasures. Some of the text can only be understood with the help of the Holy Spirit.
If you call out for insight and cry for understanding, and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2)
The wisdom of mankind could not fathom the work of God. I understand skim reading is in; hardly had we read all the text nor do we listened word-to-word of a speaker. We can easily get the point by just reading a few, as we easily put our assumption.
By skimming, sometimes, we missed out on the best part, which further makes us completely missed the important points. Many times our advanced or evolved mind does not allow us to learn the important lessons of life.
We can be late thriving on our acquired knowledge in judging the people and world around us. It is indeed a blessing that we can learn the purpose of life by observing what happens around us. While appreciating the beauties, scenery, and serenity of life we can see the face of God in the creations.
The Hidden Treasure in Sufferings:
There’s a purpose in everything. In the days of suffering we flexed out thinking power more than ever. We’ve been trying to find meaning in our life. At times, we felt hopeless but we find joy beyond the expressible happiness; it’s like a roller coaster ride.
In my periods of adversities, if I am still unable to find the hidden treasure behind my sufferings, it would simply be deteriorating my life. There are many faithful who spend their lives as deeply suffering in the eyes of the world but are spiritually rich on the inside.
Had I not have hope of finding the hidden treasure in my sufferings; I would have given up the chase some years ago. It’s not easy at all. And still it’s better not to tell all. Can anyone tell all? No, I don’t think so; but, only to Jesus Christ.
To those who are willing to find the purpose in the midst of adversity, the Lord revealed showing them the way. Spending our lives in suffering and still missing out on the promises of God would be a total disaster for mankind.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding,” questioned God to Job in his days of sufferings. So, if your understandings have no answer to this: Submit!
Parable of the Hidden Treasure:
A man was working in the field. He found a hidden treasure and he hid it again. Then he went home joyfully to sell all his possessions. And he bought that land for him. (Matthew 13:44)
The hidden treasure mentioned here is the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is more valuable than our worldly possessions. It is a parable Jesus told his disciples.
We have worked hard; we might be toiling day and night but missing out on the best part – the purpose of life, the treasure hidden for us to uncover, would have no meaning to our life.
Our life on earth is a preparation for the greater kingdom. We can have the hidden treasure in our heart. And other than that we can’t bring with us anything when we exit this world.
Finding the Hidden Treasure:
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6) It takes a dedicated life in finding the hidden treasures. Here are few people who discovered the hidden treasure in their days:
Abraham left his place of dwellings, in his great faith, when the hidden treasure was revealed to him, in a promise.
Joseph was thrown in the pit, but lifted up by the hand of God, where he found the hidden treasure. Later on he became the source of blessing and refuge for the famine-hit Hebrews.
David was left to tend to his father’s sheep where he found the hidden treasure. His young faith yet the greatest treasure, revealed with his actions, slained the giant Goliath, delivering God’s people.
Daniel was thrown in Lion’s den where he found the hidden treasure of God’s mighty deeds. He was in peace with the lurking lions. More importantly, he was given peace with his enemies.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown in the blazing furnace where the hidden treasure was being with them. They are simply refined but not burned in the blazing furnace.
No, it’s not that hard at all. An open mind could easily find the hidden treasure now. Jesus has broken that barrier and came to us. The hidden treasure is being sold freely, but only for those who are not blinded by the work of evil.
The hidden treasure, Jesus Christ, has walked the earth some two thousand years ago; revealing the treasure and offering it to anyone who believed in His unfailing promises. Some get healed while some saw Him simply passing by.
Nathanael, while sitting under a fig tree anticipating with hope the coming of the Son of God, was shown the hidden treasure. It came to him when Jesus said,” Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)
Zacchaeus towered up by climbing the fig tree to find the hidden treasure. When he found the treasure, he was willing to give his belongings to others as he doesn’t want to miss out on his new-found wealth. (Luke 19:1-10)
One of the Criminal on the cross saw the key of the hidden hanging with him. He humbled, admitted his sin the midst of their sufferings begging to be remembered. He was promised a berth in Paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)
So keep digging on the words of God, even if it takes a lifetime, not to miss out on the hidden treasure. It gives hope; renew and strengthen our faith, bring us closer to him day by day.
Finding the hidden treasure of truth is finding joy in every circumstance by being with the Savior.
