God Speaking

“He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”

(Isaiah 33:6)

This last week one of our granddaughters turned twenty one and as I was thinking back to when I turned twenty one, memories came flooding back into my mind about what in Australia, was a very momentous milestone. This was the age you became an adult and were able to vote for your country’s leaders, you were now officially considered to be a responsible member of the community and sometimes as part of the celebrations you were very formally given the keys to the house and everyone would sing that silly old English song, “I’ve got the keys of the door, never been 21 before” Today children consider themselves adults long before turning twenty one and birthday milestones don’t have as much weight as they once did.

The importance of keys, though, is still noted in our present society, and the word is often used by motivational speakers in these phrases, “the key to success is… the key to presenting yourself lies in… the key to a successful launch is…” The formal handing over of the home that has just been purchased always takes the form of presentation of keys, allowing access to the new owner.

So when the Lord speaks through Isaiah, to us, about that important key that allows us access to all the treasures of our Heavenly Father, we stop and listen very carefully. Especially the word “treasure” has great meaning for us. Famous childhood stories would end with the dramatic finding of that old, rusty box, securely locked, and only the hero or heroine would have that precious key to unlock the treasures therein and we would all hold our breath as the lid slowly opened to reveal strings of pearls and diamonds etc.

We don’t have to go on long perilous journeys to find the treasure that the Lord Jesus Christ has for us. He graciously provides access for us. He is the key to the richness of life with him, acknowledging him as our Saviour, opens that treasure trove of his love.

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God , namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2 – 3)

Sometimes we forget that this beautiful store of knowledge and understanding is readily available to us and foolishly decide to rely on our own understanding in dealing with life’s problems, this is when we need to take heed of these words in the book of Proverbs and vow to eagerly accept the Lord’s gracious gift.

“…and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3 – 5)