Christian

Where Can I Find the Hope and Encouragement I Need Today?

Cindy Dawson

About a year ago, I found this intriguing story, and not sure how I might use it, I filed it away for future use. Today, it hit me! Could I find it again? I did! Read the story below.

The Clay Balls

As a man explored caves by the seashore, he found a canvas bag full of hardened clay balls. Apparently, someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn’t look like much, but intrigued, the man took the bag. 

As he strolled along the beach, he threw the balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it until he dropped one and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Delighted, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each one contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 balls with their hidden treasure out into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

The clay balls are like the Scriptures. A man goes through his whole life without realizing the value of what he possesses. He has several copies of the Bible, but they mostly remain on a dusty shelf, unread.

Then one day, he finds himself in crisis. In desperation, he opens his Bible, searching for answers. He finds a treasure inside. It’s the answer he needs! It is the hope he needs! It is the comfort he needs! It is the guidance he needs!

He suddenly realizes that just like the man in the story, he has carelessly thrown away the treasures he could have had: wisdom, joy, encouragement, faith, comfort, understanding, and hope. If only he had known what treasures were within his dusty Bible.

Now an old man, he realizes he could have known the wisdom of God in all of the trials and hard times of this life.

“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.
 She is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13-15

The Bible is a bottomless treasure chest of beauty and wonder… inspired, true, authoritative, clear, sufficient, powerful, Christ-centered, and precious. May God help us to treat it as such.”

Matt Smethurst, Pastor

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves,” the apostle James writes. “Do what it says” (James 1:22).

Happy is the man who possesses a Bible! Happier still is he who reads it! Happiest of all is he who not only reads it but obeys it.”

J.C. Ryle

Peter says God has given us “everything we need for a godly life” through the knowledge available in the Scriptures (2 Pet. 1:3).

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Rom. 15:4)

And my favorite, Psalm 119

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Source: 8 Things Your Bible Says About Itself by Matt Smethurst, lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia; editor at The Gospel Coalition

Photo by Daniel Dorfer on Unsplash

RealChristianWomen.blog  

20 thoughts on “Where Can I Find the Hope and Encouragement I Need Today?”

  1. An excellent analogy of our value of God’s Word Cindy, thank you for sharing it with us today. I admit I haven’t always valued my Bible as much as I do today, but I now wish I had realised the treasure within it much sooner. God bless you today sister 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Yes, if I would have valued the Bible my whole life like I do today, my life would have been much different. But it’s never too late to change the way we live. I’m so glad I know the Redeemer! He makes all things new! Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings, Alan!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Incidentally, I watched a good biographical documentary of George Müller’s life. His life with God’s Word was amazing; he read nothing else but his Bible, praying and meditating regularly and often over every word. What an example to us!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  2. Cindy, this is beautiful. I love the parallels and praise! My sons, through my diagnosis, (and family too) have had much reflection on life, in general. For many, the Bible can be a hard thing to understand. Simply I tell them the story of Jesus first and then use other authorities, so many, to help explain the events and situations in the Old Testament pointing to the birth of our Savior! I’m enjoying a whole Bible study again; this one with the help of The Bible Project (they use video visuals and discussions that have helped me). I was raised in church, did Bible Drillers,…had some very tipsy turvy and death defying moments as an adult~now, THE BOOK, is more of a treasure than it ever has been. Just like the clay ball you shared. Your chosen verses and quotes accompany this writing so perfectly. Hope and encouragement are within my reach. Thank you, Cindy, for being such a light and witness to the goodness and truth in a relationship with Jesus Christ! Many blessings! I appreciate you so much!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Oh Karla, Thank you so much for this encouragement. The Bible is the revelation of who Jesus is, who God is. The better we know it, the better we know God. I am so glad to hear that God’s Word is so precious to you. What a wonderful gift it is when God opens our spiritual eyes! It is God’s grace. I pray you are doing well. Hugs! 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. It’s my blessing, Cindy. And thank you! Miracles have happened. Once deemed inoperable, the Chief Oncologist Surgeon at the National Cancer Institute has accepted me. All because of Christ! There are many layers, and meetings ahead. I had a new MRI on Thursday, results sent. He can remove the pancreatic tumor, spleen, the ones in lymph nodes and liver,~not the bones~ I can have radiation as needed. Cindy, this is so big of a surgery~in Bethesda, MD. I’ll be there for about 3 weeks, a 3 month recovery. Surgery is the #1 treatment for this cancer. God is the ultimate physician! I have given him everything and with peace, I accept this miraculous gift. Will you join my family, my sons and their families, in prayers for the surgeon and his team, my recovery, the cancer, …I just want to be used in any way. He has already healed me. One day in glory none of this will matter! I will not waste this pain, Cindy. God bless you, my friend. 🙏🏻💚

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

  3. That’s a good story and fitting illustration to bring out when needed Cindy.
    Oddly I just posted a song of encouragement….side note…
    One thing I have noticed about blogging, it’s like buying a red car, then you notice all the red cars on the road.
    I saw dozens(seems like) of posts on encouragement.yesterday, all good even though unique.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. Wonderful story! I love God’s word. I cling to the truth that is found in the Bible especially in these days of so much deception and lies.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Pingback: Top Ten Posts of 2023 – Real Christian Women

Leave a reply to Cindy Dawson Cancel reply