In THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO a man falsely accused escapes prison and finds a buried treasure. The pile of gold and jewels changes his life and captivates readers. We are fascinated by treasure.
But you possess a greater treasure: one that too often collects dust.
Even the OLD TESTAMENT is an infinite treasure. Some think negatively about God’s law because we have been delivered from law. But without the law, we would not recognize our sin, and if we don’t recognize sin, how can we repent and receive grace? Paul writes “What then, is the law sinful? May it never be! I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law” Romans 7:7. Paul continues: “So then, the law is holy and the commandment is holy, and righteous, and good” v.12.
If you struggle with rules or guilt, it can be hard to think positively about God’s rules. But Paul calls them “holy, righteous, and good.” The Old Testament writers agreed.
God’s law gives DIRECTION. How can you “stay in your lane” if you can’t see the lane? How do you make good decisions if you can’t tell good from bad? God’s law shows us how to live. It helps us make good choices. God’s WORD is the ‘owner’s manual’ for life, the MAP for your journey.
“Your decrees are the JOY of my heart (Psalm 119:111); I LOVE them greatly (167). I LOVE Your commands more than gold (127). Your commands are my DELIGHT (143). Your word is SWEETER THAN HONEY in my mouth (103), Your servant LOVES it (140). I LOVE Your precepts (159). I REJOICE OVER YOUR PROMISE LIKE ONE WHO FINDS VAST TREASURE (162).”
Have you ever thought about what a VAST TREASURE God’s word is? Believers in China smuggle torn Bible pages back and forth between jail cells, desperate for scraps of God’s word, while some of us have the whole book but never read it.
God, help us love Your word and recognize it for the TREASURE that it is!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 