“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord.”
Isaiah 45:3
My friend, Vicky, is one rich person. She’s got it all, yet she sits paralyzed in a wheelchair, having been shot in an attempted rape many years ago. At first, this tragedy plunged her into dark despair. Yet during her darkest hour, she discovered rich, spiritual treasure. She was able to mine precious insights hidden in secret places. Through her affliction, Vicky found the seven-fold riches of God.
In Ephesians 3:8 she discovered she was blessed with “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” In Romans 2:4, she found “the riches of his kindness.” In Romans 9:23 she took hold of “the riches of his glory.” There’s the “riches of wisdom and knowledge” mentioned in Romans 11:33 and “the riches of God’s grace” given in Ephesians 1:7. The “riches of his glorious inheritance” is mentioned in Ephesians 1:18. And, finally, “the riches of glory” is listed four times in Scripture.
Priceless, spiritual treasures are often discovered during our darkest times. Our afflictions are the pick and ax which help us unearth the unsearchable riches of Christ. Vicky is a rich woman — she has mined priceless insights that far outweigh all the pain and inconvenience of her paralysis.
Matthew 13:44 explains that, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Affliction often forces us to search for wisdom and mercy, goodness and kindness. Oh, how rich we are when we discover Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price!
Do you consider yourself “wealthy” in the Lord? If you feel impoverished today, remember this encouragement from Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
You are the precious Pearl of Great Price, Lord Jesus. I promise to keep searching for wisdom and knowledge. I want to be rich in Your mercy and grace!
