The Bible Is A Treasure Chest

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

The Bible is an endless supply of wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and continued blessings. Through it we have a revelation of who God is, how He made the heavens and earth. In it we discover Jesus and His teachings and sacrifice for us. And we are given guidance and knowledge of how to live as Christians and please God.

I have read the Bible since I was a boy, and from then until now the Holy Spirit has brought passages of scripture to me in my time of need. Whether I was sick, hurting, confused, angry and frustrated, or simply needed wisdom on some particular subject, the Bible has helped me time and again.

As a young man I was caught in the throes of a deep depression and Satan was whispering in my ear that I was a dead man. I went to the Word of God as I had the habit of doing, especially in times of crisis, and this is the verse the Holy Spread led me to:

I will not die but live,

    and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:17 (NIV)

I latched on to that promise from God’s Word.

Once when I made a trip from Ohio to Tennessee I was in a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome flareup. I was completely exhausted when I arrived at the hotel in Tennessee. I opened a Gideon’s Bible sitting on the table by my bed and read this:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Yet at another time my Chron’s Disease had created a skin ulcer on my stomach as big as a half dollar, and the surface skin was completely missing from it. It was terribly painful and disturbing to look at. I remember being at the wound clinic and the doctor bringing in about eight medical students to exhibit my wound to them–it was that bad. The Lord led me to the following verse and I clung to it over nearly a year before my wound was healed:

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:4 (NIV)

Then there was the time I was wrestling with terrible fear and anxiety:

Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will also help you,

I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

I could go on, and on, but you get the point. The Bible is an endless resource of help, encouragement, strength, and revelation of God’s love and care for us. When trouble comes, and it will come, if we open the treasure chest that is God’s Word we will find help. As we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us through reading the Bible He will reveal to us the verses that can help us in our time of need.

The Bible is a treasure chest available to us all. We only need to let God’s Spirit guide and teach us from this Holy Book. Open your Bible today and discover a treasure greater than gold.

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Luke 11:9 (KJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the treasure chest that is Your Word. Guide us to the scriptures that will open our hearts and minds to Your precious promises. May we never neglect such a priceless Gift. Amen.