Hidden Treasure

HIDDEN TREASURE

Implicit in the term, “ hidden,” is the idea that something is not obvious. If it is hidden, some searching is required to uncover it. A ploy often used to elude thieves is to “hide” something in full view, but so it is not noticed because it blends into its surroundings. A fortune may be concealed in a hollowed out book that sits among ordinary books in the bookcase. Valuables could be stashed in a coffee can on the shelf beside cereal and soup cans. Rare stamps could go undetected on an envelope in a box with old letters. The possibilities are endless for how intruders may miss a treasure because they don’t recognize its worth. While they look for gold or currency in closets and drawers, they miss the value of something right in front of them.

I think it could also be said that God hides treasures in plain sight. When God promises “success” or “prosperity,” our human minds visualize all manner of tangible goods. But God’s blessings are often deeper. They are hidden treasures, found in such things as growth of character, fulfilling work, and rich relationships.

In chapter eight of the book of Romans, Paul refers to believers as “more than conquerors.” The phrase comes after Paul refers to sufferings in this life. He says the sufferings in this life cannot be compared to the glory that awaits believers (vs 18). He also says that in all the experiences of this present life, God is working for the good of those who love Him (vs. 28). Verse 29 then explains that the “good” God is working in the lives of believers is to make us more like Christ.

When Paul says we are “more than conquerors,” he is essentially saying we are better off for having gone through some hard experiences than if we had not gone through them. It is in the hard times we learn more about God and His faithfulness to carry us through the hard things. We view any kind of suffering or unpleasantness as something to be avoided. We miss the value because it is not obvious to us. But it is in the hard things that we draw closer to God.

Someone has drawn an analogy of the “all things” of Romans 8:28 with a recipe for chocolate cake. Some of the individual ingredients are hard to swallow on their own. Who wants to chew on powdered cocoa? We don’t usually crave for some flour by itself. Nor do we want raw eggs. But put them all together in the proper proportions and the conclusion is wonderfully hard to resist.

God’s purpose, in the lives of everyone who desires to be part of His family, is to make us more Christlike. He will do whatever it takes to make that happen. The process may be distasteful at times. Some elements will be hard to swallow. But the result will be glorious.

If we trust God and open our eyes to what He is doing in our lives, the hidden treasures become more apparent to us.

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord. . . Isaiah 45:3 NIV

How has God revealed hidden treasure to you in the midst of something unpleasant? Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer

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