Isaiah 30:12-33:9 / Galatians 5:1-12 / Psalm 63 / Proverbs 23:22
Yesterday we talked about rest for our souls. Today I found a rich treasure chest stuffed full of amazing things. Sometimes when we find a treasure chest, it is locked and there is no key. The treasure chest I found has a key and I’m excited to share it with you. I have a feeling this treasure is one that has no bottom and no limit. There is more than enough for all of us with plenty to spare.
Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Did you see the treasure chest in those verses? And did you see the key? How many of you have ever been fascinated by hidden or buried treasure? Probably all of you. The thought of gold, silver and precious jewels makes anyone’s heart race. Have you ever watched a movie or documentary where the diver dives down to the sunken ship, and as he nears the bottom you hold your breath waiting to see what he’ll find?
He gets to the bottom of the ocean floor, finds the chest, but can’t open it because there is no key. Sure, the chest can be hauled up and broken open but it’s so much better to have access to the key. That’s why this verse, which holds a treasure that won’t rust or decay, is so intriguing. Imagine finding a chest filled with eternal treasure that you can “take with you” when you leave earth.
You’ve heard about money and possessions that none of it can go with you when you leave. When I hear that phrase, I think about the Egyptians who created huge underground tombs where they were buried with all their earthly treasure. They were convinced that when they left this earth, they would be able to take all of that with them down the Nile River on Ra’s magical boat. Sadly, as those tombs have been opened in modern times, all the treasure remained intact. None of it made it to the afterlife.
The Heavenly treasure though is different. This particular chest in the verses above contains salvation, wisdom, and knowledge, not to mention that the Lord carries with Him both justice and righteousness. There are five treasures available for you and me and we have the key! The kay is the fear of the Lord.
We’ve talked about the fear of the Lord before. It’s not the kind of fear where you are terrified of someone. This fear is a reverence and an awe. It’s a fear that causes us to want to please and obey our Heavenly Father. When I fear the Lord in this way, I will have access to all five components of this treasure. And I can possess this treasure in an unlimited supply.
I have salvation, wisdom, knowledge, justice, and righteousness and that’s just for starters. We’ve talked several times about the riches found in Christ that belong to those of us who are daughters and sons. Since we already own all these treasures, all we need to do is hold out our hands, ask God to use what is ours, and thank Him for the gifts.
I pray today that you would know the riches that He has purchased for you. The purchase price was the blood of Jesus Christ. Yes, it was a steep price to pay, but we are speaking of eternal treasure.
