Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
A treasure hunter in Florida searched for 16 years for the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a Spanish galleon that sank in 1622 with a cargo of precious metals. In 1985 the ship was located, and 40 million dollars worth of gold and silver was salvaged. The approximate location of the ship was determined by searching ancient records.
The Word of God contains great spiritual treasures. These, declares the psalmist, “are more precious than gold, than much pure gold” (Psalm 19:10). The wisdom of the Holy Scriptures, which make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, “cannot be bought with the finest gold” (Job 28:15) says Job. The Word of God exceeds every earthly treasure, for only it can comfort people when they, like Job, have experienced afflictions and heavy losses. Only it enables a person to say with Job: “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25).
Granted that the Holy Scriptures hold treasures to enrich and strengthen us spiritually, but how do we come into their possession? Jesus has the answer: Search the Scriptures! When we read, study, discuss, and apply the truths of God’s Word, we “through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures … we have hope,” writes Saint Paul.
Our growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ comes through the medium of God’s written Word, but it does so only if we do persistent digging, exploring, and searching. Then, like the man in Florida who discovered the treasures of the Spanish galleon, we too will find a treasure, our Highest Good, and that is Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Have you been treasure hunting in the Bible?
PRAYER: O Holy Spirit, lead me deeper into the Holy Scriptures so that I may draw closer to Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Job 28-29 Matthew 13:1-30
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