Morning Devotional

November 16, 2004
"Storing the Treasure"

by Don Emmitte

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Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the LORD, for he has shown me his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. (Psalm 31:19-21 NLT).

All of David’s life is a lesson for us. He experienced the best and worst of times in his years from a simple shepherd to the greatest king Israel ever knew. David wrote many of the psalms. So much may be learned from the verses in this book of wisdom. Today’s reading shows us three specific truths that are very helpful in maintaining a sense of patience in the face of difficulty.

1.      First, God’s goodness for us is great. Have you ever experienced anything God was involved in that wasn’t great? Is there anything more amazing than the birth of a child? Could there be a greater expression of power than in a thunderstorm, especially a tornado? Isn’t God’s creation utterly astounding? Scientists are still trying to figure it all out. They have much more work to do! The goodness God has for us is described the same way! It must be really special!

2.      Second, God is storing His goodness up for us! God has plans for sharing his goodness with us, otherwise, why would He “store it up”? You don’t store up something you don’t plan to use. “Storing” indicates a conscious effort to keep something, so you can have access to it at a later time. However, it also tells me that He doesn’t give it all to me at once. I’m glad, because that assures me I have something for which to look forward. The best is yet to come!

3.      Third, this verse says that God’s goodness, which He is storing up for us, comes with a condition. It is for those who “fear Him”. It is for those who have honored Him with their respect and love above everything else. God will not settle for second place in our lives, so this stored up goodness is for those who are willing to give Him first place!

Is God storing up goodness for you? Are you placing Him first? Do you fear Him, and all of His ways ahead of everything else in your life? Then, be ready for the storehouse to overflow one day! Oh, what a day that will be!