"DIG. . . And You Shall Find"

         "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who

          gains understanding, for its profit is better than the profit of

          silver, and its gain than fine of gold. She is more previous

          than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her."

                                        Proverb 3 : 13-15

Look like Mark Twain might have been sold a bill of goods once or twice in his day. Maybe he had to learn the hard way that some treasures are illusory, that many things glitter from a distance but lose their luster up close, that some promises fail to deliver, fading like an echo in an abandoned mine shaft.

                      A gold mine is nothing more 

           than a hole in the ground owned by liar.

          Perhaps twain would have been encouraged by the authentic treasure found by another seeker, King Solomon of Isreal:

          The wisdom tucked away in God's Word's now there's treasure. And it's right under our nose. It always delivers what promises. It always increases in value. It never run out.

          Unfortunately, many Christian haven't dug deep enough to discover the bounty buried in the pages of Scripture. Many are content to stuff of nuggets in their pockets, when wheelbarrows full  are waitnig to be hauled out and deposited in the vaults of their hearts. There's nothing wrong with polishing and admiring such familiar passages as John 3 :16 and the twenty-third  Psalm.but there's so much more to discover.

          Many of us hardly disturbed the soil above some scriptural treasures. Take 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles, for example. Many Christians walk right by these books for fear of falling into a maze of long genealogies, hard to pronounce names, and miscellaneous shirmishes.

         But running through these histotical books is a mother lode of spiritual truth. Here you'll find God's holiness and righteous judgement. His forbearing love for sinful humanity. The price of disobedience. The preservation of His covenant people through all kindss of adversity. God's sovereignty over nations and kings, godly and pagan. And much more.

         All Scripture was given to us by God for our spiritual enrichment (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16), including Kings and Chronicles. What we need to do is search as Solomon advised:

         

          My son, if you will receive my sayings,

          And treasure my commandment within you,

          Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

          Incline your heart to understanding;

          For if you cry for discernment,

          Lift your voice for understanding;

          If you seek her as silver,

          And search for her as for hidden treasures;

          Then you will discern the fear of the Lord,

          And discover the knowledge of God.

          (Prov. 2:1-5)

Excited! Then grab a pick and let's start digging. And don't forget your wheelbarrow!