Why do we read Scripture? How else will we begin to know God? Not a distant, unknowable God but the Creator God who created you and everything including every single air molecule you breathe with every breath…every single thing you hold dear and cherish whether family, mountains, oceans deep, hills covered in trees, deserts, love itself. Treasures. Jesus asked His disciples after describing the Kingdom of God in parables, “Have you understood these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:51-52.

What treasures did I find in Judges 8? There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12. If we follow human beings and not God we will soon find ourselves lost. Gideon followed God as God led him and was even able to understand something vital. Following the victory over the Midianites who had oppressed them, his fellow Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” v. 22. Who saved them? How quickly they forget. But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” v. 23. Gideon found the greatest treasure of all. He found the Lord. God worked directly with Gideon.

One of the things I pray for daily is that God will draw me near and stay close teaching me all He would have me understand and let that treasure go deep. Last night lying in bed instead of immediately giving to God words I longed to say to Him, I took my own advice to you and told Him I just wanted to be near to Him and be still with Him. No words from me. He honored that request and we were still together and I knew His peace and love deep in my heart where the best treasures are laid. When we stay open to His leading us, we draw near to Life itself. Life that is abundant and blessed. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! He is our blessing.

What else did Gideon show us? He requested from those who were ready to raise him up, instead of God, as their leader, one gold earring from each of them. They readily complied…and Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshipping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. v. 27. An ephod was a special vest only the High Priest in Israel wore in carrying out his duties. Maybe Gideon had good intentions but…there is a way that appears to be right…

Treasures old and new. The greatest treasure is God. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:3-5.

Jesus had a work to do and it began before the world began and includes everything that happens in our world; things recorded in Scripture and before Scripture was penned and throughout eternity. Without Him, we veer off course and run into ditches of our own making that seem so right. With Him…“I am the true vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5. That’s the vital part in our quest for life. True abundant life comes from and in the true Creator of all Life. He alone knows the way. And in His way…The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17. Can you imagine? Please try!