Though not raised in a Christian home, my first Bible was a gift from my parents at Christmastime. It remained boxed and unread for years. Little did I know the great treasure I had left unclaimed? God warns and woos through sacred script.

“Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us (2 Kings 22:13 NKJ).”

I discovered truth & treasure.

“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:1-3 NKJ).”

Sadly, we often don’t know the value of what we have until we lose it.

“Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD,
‘That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the LORD.”
(Amos 8:11 NKJ)