Treasure that Lasts Forever
Every human grows up in a world filled with desires and needs. We learn from an early age that we prefer comfort over discomfort. We discover that it is easier to have plenty than it is to have little.
Material possessions can certainly create comfort in our lives—the new cars, the bigger houses, or the latest phones. It's easy to think that having more will make you happier, too.
But nothing you can buy will last forever.
Everything that we collect here on earth has an expiration date. Cars break down. Houses crumble. New phones become obsolete—really quickly. In the long run, we really have no control over the things of this world.
So instead, Jesus tells us to focus on storing up treasures in heaven, where things do not deteriorate or disappear. Rather than focusing on piling up earthly things, we should be focused on heavenly things that will last eternally.
Everything we own was actually given to us by God’s grace.
We can break the habit of amassing treasure on earth by seeing all of our material possessions as something given by God for us to share with others. We can also shift our priorities toward making an eternal impact in people’s lives by sharing the hope of Jesus with them.
What small steps can you take today to begin to shift your priorities from earthly treasure to heavenly treasure? What has God given you that you can share with others to make a difference in their life as well? Take some time to pray to God about these things.
God is Faithful
We all have to face hard things. It’s not if you will face them, but when. But when those challenges come, you can know you’re not alone.
In Isaiah 43:2, God reminds Israel that His faithfulness doesn’t change with their circumstances. He was faithful in the past, and He would continue to protect and provide for them…
“When you pass through the waters…”
After 400 years of slavery, God empowered Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity. Just as the opposing army was closing in and all seemed lost, God made a way—right through the Red Sea. (See Exodus 14.) This is probably what the book of Isaiah is referencing to remind the Israelites of God’s power.
“When you pass through the rivers…”
Isaiah’s readers would have likely been reminded of the time God dried up the Jordan River for the Israelites when they were crossing over with the ark of the Lord. They even built a memorial, so that generations to come would remember God’s presence. (You ...