Delighting in God’s Word (Part 21): A Vast Treasure of Wisdom

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Psalm 119:162

I rejoice over your promise
like one who finds vast treasure.

(CSB)

According to Kevin Breuninger writing for CNBC, the odds of winning the Powerball is 1 in 202.2 million and the Mega Millions is 1 in 302.5 million.  (1)  However, even with these extremely slim odds, millions play each week demonstrating the powerful lure of some great financial prize or treasure.  However, the greatest treasure available to humanity does not cost us anything and is available to us simply for asking and believing, this treasure is the free gift of salvation and redemption provided through the substitutionary death of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:9-10, John 3:16). 

While this gift is free to us, it came at the cost of God sending His only Son to become human like us, live a sinless life, and die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21).  However, unlike the lottery, this treasure does not have slim odds but is guaranteed through the Holy Spirit in our lives after accepting Jesus as our savior (2 Timothy 1:14).  If you are reading this and have yet to claim this treasure, I urge you to do so now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

The psalmist in Psalm 119:161-168 praises the value of the great treasure he has discovered in the Word of God as he waits expectantly for the appearance of Messiah.  Even though Messiah has already come, and we have the opportunity to enter into a relationship with God through Him, we too like the psalmist can rejoice in the treasure of the Word of God as we wait for Jesus’ second coming.  As the psalmist waits he,

1)      Does not fear powerful men but only God’s Word (Psalm 119:161) – While the author of Psalm 119 is unknown, this verse leads us to believe he was someone persecuted, perhaps someone alive during the exile of the Jews in Babylon or Persia.  However, the psalmist does not fear the powerful princes persecuting him and finds comfort in the Word of God. 

2)      Rejoices and treasures God’s promises (Psalm 119:162) – The psalmist values the promises in the Word of God as if they were some great treasure. 

3)      Hates falsehood but loves God’s instruction (Psalm 119:163) – The psalmist also values the truth contained in the Word of God while abhorring falsehood.  The source of lies is the Devil (John 8:44) with Jesus being the way truth and life (John 14:6). 

4)      Is consistent in his praise of God’s righteous judgments (Psalm 119:164) – Praising God seven times a day symbolizes one consistently expressing praise to God. 

5)      Has peace and stability through God’s instructions (Psalm 119:165) – The instability of the world and the world system is all around us.  How fortunate we are to have access to the stability of the Word of God and a personal relationship with God through Jesus. 

6)      Obeys out of love while hoping for salvation (Psalm 119:166-167) – No one forces us to obey God for obedience to God is voluntary.  We also do not obey to earn our salvation but receive it from a loving God who sent His son to die for our sins.  Obedience is not to earn salvation but an expression of love for God who paid a high price for our salvation, something we should highly treasure

7)      Obeys because God knows all (Psalm 119:168) – The thought that God knows all can be terrifying for those with sin in their lives but provides comfort for the redeemed.  While God indeed knows our sins, he also knows what we need and lovingly takes care of His children.

While winning a multi-million-dollar lottery prize would be a great treasure, the greatest treasure available to humanity is free for the taking for those choosing to accept Jesus sacrifice for our sins.  I urge anyone reading this that has not asked God to forgive their sins to do so by accepting the gift of salvation provided by Jesus.  For those that have already accepted this gift, I urge you to place a greater value on what you have in Christ through study of His Word, and prayer as you get to know the Lord better. 

1. Breuninger, Kevin. The odds of winning those record Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots are beyond slim. www.cnbc.com. [Online] CNBC, January 5, 2018. [Cited: June 4, 2018.] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/05/odds-of-winning-a-lottery-jackpot-are-worse-than-you-expect.html.