What if the treasure our hearts truly long for isn’t buried in sand—but found in the presence of God?
When I was a young girl, I was always fascinated by the idea of those who walked along the beaches or through parks with metal detectors in their hands.
I remember wanting one so badly for myself.
You could see them sway their device this way and that, back and forth, ever searching until the beeping intensified, signaling that something had been found.
Sometimes, that “something” was trash. But then there were those times when that beeping from the search led to true treasure.
For millennia, mankind has searched oceans, caves, pits, deserts, mountains, ruins, rivers, and more in search of treasure. Fascinating books have been written, inspiring the imagination of many with the adventure of finding some grand, undiscovered treasure.
And while they may be fun to read, taking us for a wild flight into fantasy, when the story ends, the adventure ends with it—and nothing remains to truly satisfy.
Where is the hope in that?
Vain is the search that leads only to temporary treasures—today’s trappings that offer no lasting satisfaction.
Jesus promised something different for the diligent searchers of the true Treasure:
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46
The search here, and the treasures found, were so grand and valuable, the response was to do all one had to do to buy that field or obtain that pearl.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” that.
In true, parable form, He described ideas or treasures in a way they could easily understand. Then, He put this spin on it.
The Kingdom of Heaven is the most precious treasure one could hope to have. But it will only be enjoyed by those who do their diligent search. Those who know its value and have made up their minds that they cannot live without it – without Him.
God sent this encouraging word to the Babylonian captives by the mouth of Jeremiah:
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13.
Sadly, when many read Jeremiah 29, they stop at verse 11 and set up camp there. And while, yes, God had a future promise of peace for His people, the greatest joy and satisfaction they or we will ever experience will come at the end of a heart that had made its diligent search to know God and draw nearer to Him.
When David wrote Psalm 16, he, too, exclaimed this truth, saying,
“In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (v. 11).
Anything short of the Kingdom of Heaven. Anything outside of the presence of God will eventually always come up empty. No matter what we find, no matter where we place our energy, “fulness of joy” can only be found in His presence.
Fulness means that with nothing lacking, there is no more reason for searching. God, our heavenly Father, is the answer for all the searching. Only in Him will you find your true treasure.
Father God, it is You we need above all else. When our attention is swaying back and forth like that metal detector, remind us that You are the true treasure, and that we don’t have to search for another. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN!
Friend, what has your attention today? When the pages of your life’s story close, where will you find yourself?
May your heart rest from vain searching and set its affections on the Father who only can give you “fulness of joy.”
In Christ, the adventure never stops. We get to share in His treasure for all eternity.
Text-Free Image by Qubes Pictures from Pixabay
