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There was a time our family was intrigued by the TV program, Storage Wars. People would go to auctions of abandoned storage units and bid on the unit. It was the proverbial ā€¦ ā€œOne manā€™s junk is another manā€™s treasureā€Ā

The aspect that amazed me is the bidding war which would occur at these sites. Much of the time, the bidders did not even fully know the contents within the unit. They were only permitted a cursory look over. They were unable to touch or move anything prior to the bidding.

Upon winning the bid, they then scoured through the unit, looking for their big hit ā€ā€œ the item that would bring the most money upon resale.

I was reminded of all this as I read these words …

ā€Ā I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.ā€ĀĆ‚Ā 
(Psalm 119:162 NLT).

We tend to define ā€œtreasureā€Ā as accumulated wealth or an object of value. But the writer of this psalm used it to mean, ā€œbooty, spoil, used in relation to the aftermath of a military victoryā€Ā. (Expository Dictionary of Bible Words). The Jewish people were constantly engaged in war. They were a people that often needed to defend themselves. They knew what it was to walk away having gained plunder. The treasure represented victory to them. It represented gain.

What would occur in our lives if we were to regard Scripture as treasure? Is it possible that a cycle would start in our lives which could look like this …

Read Godā€™s Wordā€ā€> treasure gainedā€ā€> rejoicing over victory through Godā€™s Wordā€ā€> read more of Godā€™s Wordā€ā€> even more treasure gained

The plunder may not be material gain. But it sure would be a booty of joy, peace, relationships, healing, a job, a promotion, a rift mended, a new friend, a good conversation with a friend, family, encouragement, affirmation, assurance, and/or guidance.

To the psalmist, Godā€™s promises were everything to him. He had set his mind to knowing and keeping Godā€™s Word.

ā€œI claim your rules as my permanent possession, for they give me joy.ƂĀ  I am determined to obey your statutes at all times, to the very end.ā€ĀĆ‚Ā 
(Psalm 119:111-112 NET).

Some questions to ask ourselves today:

  1. Are we laying claims to His Word as our permanent possession?
  2. Is His Word the joy of your heart? Is His Word bringing you joy?
  3. Is your heart set on keeping His Word to the end? To the very end?

If we can answer ā€œyesā€Ā to these questions, then we have found our treasure. We are not limited to the cursory once over. We can dig deep. Dig often. The treasure is there and waiting for us each time.ƂĀ 

ā€œIn my heart I store up your words, so I might not sin against you.ā€ĀĆ‚Ā  ƂĀ 
(Psalm 119:11 NET)

May we store His Word deeply in our hearts,
accumulating truth after truth.

 

This is a revised version of an earlier post.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story .