Isaiah 45: 3 ; Romans 11:33

“I will give you the treasures of darkness. And hidden riches of secret places,
That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel”.

When the Bible talks about treasures of darkness, I wondered what it meant for a long time. I now know – given my many years in the wilderness and all the things I have learnt. I am now acquainted with the meaning of this verse.

You see, there are certain ‘treasures’ (gains, lessons, blessings, etc.) that can only be discovered in the place of pain (i.e. in dark places). Until you go through certain situations, you cannot know certain things.

But why are these treasures hidden in dark places? I cannot say for sure. But I do know that man is so relaxed when in a state of comfort that God can hardly get his attention.  Life is full of lessons, but no other experience can afford the depth of knowledge (lessons) that comes through pain or suffering…that is why the Psalmist says that “It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I may learn your statutes” (Psalm 119: 71).

God’s ways are higher than man’s, and when HE wants to “skill” a man, HE “drills” the man. May you find abundant “treasures” in your darkness as you meditate on this poem below.

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man, and skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him

Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!

How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He’s about.

– Anonymous