The Hidden Word

I recently read a novel about a young man on a journey searching for a treasure - a buried stash of gold and jewels. How did that treasure get there? Someone hid it. Why? With the intent of coming back to dig it up at the right time. But as the stories go, due to circumstances beyond the person's control (shipwrecks, murder, that kind of thing), they don't get back to dig up the treasure and instead tell someone about it on their deathbed or make a map for someone else to go find it. And so we end up with the classic tale of a treasure hunt.
I'm been thinking about the value of God's revelation to us - the Bible. It really is a treasure beyond compare. Through its message we hear the story of our redemption and are summond to believe the good news we recently celebrated at Easter: the Son of God has died for our sins and is now alive! Sin and Satan have been conquered, there is now freedom to love and to truly live!
So what are we to do with this treasure? Simply put: hear it and heed it. But we should also hide it. Just as those who buried their treasure to keep it safe until the time came that they could dig it up, we bury the Word of God in our hearts so that when we need it, it is there. The songwriter of Psalm 119 knew the power of the Word of God deep in our hearts: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Times of trial and temptation are particular points when we need the riches of God's Word to instruct and comfort us.
This season of my spiritual life, the Word hidden in my heart that keeps calling out to me and giving me hope that obedience to God is possible is James 1:19-20.
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
How about you? Can you hear the Word of God speaking because of verses or passages you memorized in the past? Is there a verse or passage that you want to hide in your heart now that you may benefit by its encouragement? Remember, memorization can be done through songs and often happens as we repeat God's word to each other. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Col. 3:16).
Comments
Post a Comment