2001-07-26 - Buried Treasure

Eph 2:7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (NAS)

I walked out of my home one morning to find my neighbor in her bedroom window very excited. For the past few days, they had a contractor working in their master bedroom. She waved me over. I was curious as to what they had done and she was very eager to show off their newly finished work. As it turns out, the bedroom rugs were in need of being replaced. While deciding what to do, the rug and the pad and all of the layers that go with it were pulled back at some point. They did not expect what they found. Under everything, hidden for 24 years were beautiful white oak hardwood floors. She told me how much she loved white oak and how thrilled she was to find the hidden treasure. Her delight was obvious.

After living in the same dwelling for almost two and a half decades, who would have thought those four walls would have held any more secrets from them? But the irony is that it was something the couple living their will treasure very highly.

I remember asking my dad when I was very young, "How will God keep eternity from being boring?" I think I was about five or six at the most. His answer was as much as a five or six year old could digest. "I obviously don't know everything that will happen. But I know this much, it will be really amazing." He was trying his best to explain with his finite mind and the limited vocabulary he could use with a young boy, the vast infinite God I was asking about. There are dozens of names given to God in the scriptures - the Alpha and Omega, the Great I AM, El Shaddai, Emanuel, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and many more. In the book of Revelation alone we see numerous views of Jesus Christ - from the Lamb slain for sinners yet alive, to eyes burning like flame and feet like heated brass holding the keys of Death and Hades, to the friend Who looks back to John as the Revelation is closing promising, "I am coming quickly..." as an encouragement to His beloved disciple.

How may facets have we seen? And how many more facets of His person and His truth will be slowly unveiled as eternity passes? Does God have a plan for eternity? Yes. As surely as He loves each one of us He will continue to amaze us as the eternal ages pass. He shows me how even my stumbling and my willful disobedience are used for my own good. I can not count how many times He has given me a glimpse of my own treasures hidden under layers of His design that kept that relation of truth or about Him a secret until I was ready to have it. He knows what is best for us, and if we will trust Him with the little things and with eternity, He will continue to unfold things for us in His own time.

Luke 18:28-30 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. ²⁹ And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, ³⁰ Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting (KJV)

Lord Jesus - while we have people and events that hold us here, our hearts are looking toward home and the wonders of creation and wisdom that you have in store for us as your children. It is just another example of Your love and caring for us. Help us to see these things as the promises they are to keep us aware that the suffering of this world will pale in comparison to one minute in Your presence. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

mhoskins@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org