Chipmunks and squirrels.
I love these guys, they are so much fun to watch.
They're always up to something – nature's purveyors of antics, hijinks, and shenanigans!
Endless entertainment on the mountain.
I have spent many days watching them scurry around, chase each other, challenge each other to be king of the boulder, and dig holes.
Cute.
The other day, I happened to catch some movement in my peripheral vision. I looked up just in time to see a chipmunk run like crazy into a gap between two boulders.
How funny, I thought to myself.
Then "The Hub" said, "There's a bobcat on our porch."
What…really?!
Sure enough, a bobcat was prowling around our back door. No wonder Mr. Munk scampered away so quickly!
Never a dull moment around these parts!
One of my favorite things to do is watch the squirrels and chipmunks in the Fall.
In the Fall, it's rather amazing to see them hard at work, finding and storing nuts for the winter.
They are industrious and tireless.
Sometimes our trees shed lots of acorns, and the food source is readily available. Other times, there aren't so many, and yet, my friendly little *neighbors* manage to find some sort of food to hide away.
But it is during the Winter when I am most fascinated by their work.
I don't know how, despite freezing temperatures and multiple snowfalls, these little creatures still manage to find their hidey-holes.
They seem to know exactly where they've stashed their edible goodies.
And I love watching them dig up the dirt, scrounge around, and then hold their food in those cute little hands (paws!), and chew away.
How do they know where they've buried their food?
Do they detect it again by memory, or smell, or some other instinctual method that I'm not aware of?
It's incredible.
And it's a good lesson for all of us to apply in our own lives.
Sometimes life just takes us into a wilderness time, a winter season of dryness or discouragement or trial or suffering.
It's easy to lose sight of what we know to be true.
I don't know what's going on with me lately, but I've just been blah.
No particularly big "triggering" event, just the ongoing ebb and flow of life "stuff."
So today, when I went to church, I asked the Lord to meet me there with something that I really needed to hear.
Of course, He did.
Our pastor is doing a series on the promises of God – and this morning's message was entitled, "The Promise of Answered Prayer."
The message was powerful and timely.
But, it was one verse that caught my heart.
"Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)
I immediately thought of my little furry friends.
And their hidden things.
Several years ago, when I was going through a particularly rough time, I had a friend encourage me with these words:
"When you can't find your way in the dark, go back to what you knew and believed in the light."
I found it most helpful.
The chipmunks and squirrels spend warm sunshine days finding and hiding food, so that during the cold winter months, they'll have nourishment.
Do they hibernate like bears?
Nope!
Though they sleep a lot, they don't sleep all the way through the season.
They retreat to their burrows and dens but wake every few days or weeks, raise their body temperatures to normal, and feed on stored food rather than fat reserves!
(I'd personally like to be like a bear. I've got some pesky *fat reserves* I'd like to feed on…just sayin').
When it's cold outside, they still know where to go to sustain themselves.
This is so true about faith, too.
What we store away will bring us through the wilderness times, through the winter seasons.
So, what are four things, four truths I can hide in my heart for those times when I am discouraged?
One, I can be assured of God's presence.
"'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.'" (Joshua 1:5, AMP)
"…for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]'" (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)
Two, I can be assured of God's power.
"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is His name." (Jeremiah 33:2, ESV)
"'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?'" (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV)
Three, I can be assured of God's purpose.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…" (Genesis 50:20, NIV)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)
Four, I can be assured of God's promises.
"God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19, NLT)
"'Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'" (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)
Hiding the Word of God provides much-needed nourishment when we're full of doubts and fears, or struggling with trials and tribulations.
It is a hidden treasure of great worth.
But, there's one other thing I want to mention.
It's how God sometimes takes these wilderness, winter seasons and uses them to reveal to us something really special.
The photo accompanying this post is part of a fallen log that sits alongside the drive up to our house.
It's full of woodpecker holes.
But would you take a moment to notice something else?
Inside those holes are acorns!!
Evidently, chipmunks and squirrels are not the only ones to store away some goodies!
From a distance, those holes just look like holes.
But since this branch has broken off, we can see the treasures that are hidden there.
Again, a wonderful faith lesson.
Sometimes it takes some breaking for God to show us something really special – a revelation that we might never have known in good times.
"'I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD…who summons you by name.'" (Isaiah 45:3, NIV)
Yes.
Hidden treasures, secret riches.
God has a way of carving us deeper, enriching and growing our faith when we feel weakest.
When we feel broken, and hungry, and cold.
I go back to Jeremiah 33:3 – what were the great and hidden things that God revealed to His prophet?
Two pretty awesome things.
This message came around the time of the Babylonian Conquest – a terrible time when the Jews were defeated and led into captivity.
Here God reveals that they will be rescued, returned to their homeland, once they repent and return to Him.
But, He also issues a prophecy about the coming Messiah:
"The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them. 'In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: 'The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'"
(Jeremiah 33:14-16, NLT)
WOW!
Can you imagine receiving that revelation?!
(Me either!)
So, if we're willing, God can reveal new aspects about Himself, new revelations from His Word, new depths of faith, and new purposes when we least expect it…
...right in the middle of a dry or cold spell in our hearts.
Great and hidden things.
Treasure and secret riches.
Hide them in your heart.
Remember them.
Let God reveal them.
Never go hungry again…
What is a hidden treasure that you have discovered about God?
 | |
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all. ("Be Thou My Vision" - ancient Irish hymn) |
"'You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.'" (Isaiah 48:6, ESV)
"'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'"
(Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:22, NASB)
"He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom." (Job 12:22, NLT)
"'It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.'" (Isaiah 55:11, NLT)
"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11, NASB)
"The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip."
(Psalm 37:31, NIV)
"…the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." (1 Corinthians 2:7, NLT)
"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." (1 Corinthians 4:1, NIV)
"…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…" (Ephesians 1:9, ESV)
"'Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.'" (John 14:21, NLT)
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My gosh with the bobcat! That would have been fun to see! Great lesson here about hidden treasures. I think I've learned recently God remains faithful even if I'm going through a winter patch myself.
ReplyDeletebetty
Oh Sharon! That tree with the woodpecker holes and acorns! What a great picture--as a visual learner I will hold fast that image and the the "treasure" of God's truth it feeds deep in my spirit! The little acorns look like golden nuggets tucked away. Glorious! I am a big fan of my backyard squirrels and chipmunks, too--no bobcats, but a nasty black and white Tom who sometimes stalks my little chippies, and they all disappear when the hawk is in the neighborhood. Last fall, Ed and I were walking and a hawk swooped down in front of us, into our neighbor's yard, grabbed a squirrel and flew to settle on top of the nearby electric pole with his supper. I was fascinated and distraught. We watched the gory sight as he ripped away at that poor little guy. Happened so fast. Glad your chippie took cover--hope he had treasures in the boulders to feed on in safety. Don't want the hawks and bobcats stealing us away . . . or the truths we've hidden in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
Food for the soul. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like that...simply amazing! Only God could master such a cool thing and only God would make it so you would use it for a perfect analogy to share with us! You are a gift, my friend! And one last thing....beware of bobcats :)
ReplyDeletewe love to be outside, while we live in town, we often travel to the forest to get away. My husband and mother love the squirrels as you do but if a bobcat was on my porch I would freak. The truth we hide in our heart and knowing what we know is what gets us through the hard times. Thanks for sharing and putting it in a perspective that I could digest easily
ReplyDeletecome see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Sharon you have definitely given us a bushel of God's wisdom to store up for those "winter" days in life. These are both encouraging and inspiring to read. Thank you for sharing. We need to keep God's word close in our heart to help in those times of trial. Thanks again for sharing what God has revealed to you. Have a wonderful week and may God bless you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSharon, I've never seen anything like this log photo. It makes me want to scour our woods to see if I can find one . . . oh, wait, not when it's warm and the snakes are returning to life. Another time.
ReplyDeleteAnd your post is so full of perfect analogies for how to make it through those tough seasons on our lives. God recently answered a prayer I've had for many months now. He is so faithful! I think sometimes when He makes us wait, it's so we will truly see His greatness and power in a whole new light.
And on the squirrel/chipmunk subject? With my spreading of sunflower seeds on the ground, especially in winter, our critters are well fed, indeed!
Blessings to you!
Just what I needed to hear today as I find myself in the "blah" place but also struggling with anxiety for the unknown. I think God must get weary of sustaining me, but then again He is such a loving parent. Love the quote from your friend on light........and the 4 things you have learned. Four great truths to hold on to. Good to be back here again....thank you for your faithfulness in visiting my cyber home. God bless.
ReplyDeleteYou, Sharon, are a "Hidden treasure" for me. Can't wait to read but today I have to catch up and run errands, pay bills, and I'm exhausted still. So forgive me until I can read without distractions. But at least my "fur babies" family was happy to see me back ... yet they are obsessing about having me home and don't want to go outside and keep interrupting me. But I went outside earlier with them barefeet and felt how hot the cement was on their precious little feet so now I understand.
ReplyDeleteYour photo at the end is very intriguing! Scrolling down to comment before reading is like skipping ahead to the last page of a book to read how it ends. I had to force myself not to read the previous comments also. Thank you so much for your visits and comments (I replied to today's only, I think) ...until later ~Peggy
Absolutely fascinating!!!!!!! from beginning to end.
DeleteI love chipmunks and enjoyed so much watching the squirrels back home make themselves at home in our bird feeders as if they were birds or the "sunflower(s) seeds" were treats meant for them only certainly not those pesky birds (who I enjoyed even more-red cardinals, beautiful black and white woodpeckers, warbler (I think) building her nest in one of the birdhouses and singing outside, simple a delight each day ... so many others ... but I agree with so much that you have written here and such wonderful inspiring wisdom and thoughts not hidden but written by you for us and also the "gems" or 'acorns' in God's Word that you've shared for us to nibble on ... such riches, Sharon!!! Great food for my soul as often you do when you write ... such a beautiful pattern carved or pecked in the wood and filled with 'acorns' is such a wonder and rich blessing, all of this except the visit by Mr. Bob Cat (I could do without his prowling so close) looking for his snack for the day. Whoa.
Jeremiah 33:3 became a really special verse to me in these last few years and known as "God's phone number during afflictions (though that is not the link where I read this, and not sure where I came across this, not even Holly Furtick's blog because I've been doing some of her husband's reading plans of his books and pastor sermons lately) but not when I memorized God's phone number.
Anyways, I appreciate you redirecting me to HIS number and the wisdom in your 4 points of Assurance for when I am in need of calling on God. As for what "hidden treasures" I've discovered ... well, nothing as profound and clever as this, so you got me. However, there are always "hidden treasures" to be found in His Word and His creation, be it animals or people; nature has so much hidden and just our own physical bodies and the composition of how it all works or fails to work (in my case) opens new avenues to other discoveries unique to God and His perfect timing and plan. So we can hold on to hope ... and 'signs' from Him. That log is fascinating and ever so aMazing! Awesme Sharon!
Many blessings and hugs~Peggy
{and as for your "Grateful Thoughts" ... too much to comment other than to add amusing and aMazing... and that's just the beginning one. Each one hits home. Thank you for sharing your gratitude to God and life happenings with such thankfulness and charm.
what a beautiful post Sharon, I love the analogy of the little creatures storing away their food, and love how you return to the Word hidden in your heart, where you are nourished and blessed, and then share your blessings with us! Gorgeous post! Visiting from #smallwonder today!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what is going on, but I'm feeling the weariness and "blahs" as well. Perhaps we could pray for one another!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this Sharon especially b/c last night I love watching the flurry of activity in our yard too. Tons of wildlife and the lessons are many from them. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteWonderful analogies here as always! Love to watch the squirrels too and used to have bobcat in my backyard in Missouri. I miss the wildlife now that I am in the city :( So thankful for the reminders the Lord gives us. He is so faithful. ♥
ReplyDeleteI can relate to all of this! I feel this is what God is doing in my own life! What a visual you have given me also. Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful teaching, I found it very interesting that we are a lot like the squirrels and its a good thing, especially if what we're hiding is God's Word in our heart. You touch on the most important thing in the whole universe. Hearing God and believing the truth. I love your question and I could never do it justice because every day I'm learning hidden things about Him. I read through the Bible every year with my favorite study plan and even this morning in the Old Testament, I never quite caught in the past what I saw today. So He is a never ending reservoir of love, truth, and every good thing imaginable. God bless you for challenging us and teaching us!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your precious posts, sweet friend. I never leave here without having been edified and spiritually nourished. The love of Jesus shines through in every thing you say. I trust you will feel His presence in such a real way today! Sending you much love and gratitude for your faithful friendship and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWhoa a bobcat on your back porch? Now that's a little too close for comfort. You always get the best faith lessons from the most unique life happenings Sharon. I always enjoy reading your writings. Hope your week is going well.
ReplyDeleteA bobcat? Yikes! I’ll take the chipmunks instead. :) Hidden things—yes, thanks for these reminders, Sharon, that we can keep these hidden treasures in our hearts: God’s presence, power, purpose, and promises. Beautiful truths!
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, as usual. Knowing our Father's spirit is within us is comforting when we face the tough times. And that's not a matter of if, but when.
ReplyDeleteI like the little guys too... except for when they chew the wires to the spa...
And that log is so cool! How awesome that is. The birds peck hoes the perfect size to store their food. Never knew that...
Sharon, your photo is fascinating!!! I love it that those little critters have slammed those acorns in those woodpecker holes!!! Just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour words and Truths of God's bring me to my knees, knowing that He will be there for me, no matter what! Thank you for these fine words.
OH My! Sharon. Thank you for sharing. You know it Proverbs it talks about studying the ants. You've taking studying chipmunks to a whole new level. thank you. Thanks for visiting us at the Loft
ReplyDeleteThis is a good word, Sharon, and especially interesting to me because I've been teaching on Jeremiah and what you shared today goes along with my lesson for this coming week. I love when God does that! He is the eternal and ultimate Coordinator of Planning - He knows when each of us need to hear a certain word.
ReplyDeleteLove that you got all this from nature! Thanks for sharing at The Loft!
Feel like I'm finally leaving a "blah" period myself, and I love your point about hiding nuggets of truth to feed on in the wilderness and lean times. It's so true. You listed the verse from Psalm 119 and the way I learned it was, "your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." We have to store up and build up. I believe that's probably what He means by "seek the Lord while He may be found." It's not that He's gone, but it does feel that way sometimes. Seek Him and get the revelation, wisdom, truth now because seasons change. Anyway, enough rambling! Good word, Sharon. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I give praise to God for storing up everything for me in heaven! :)
ReplyDelete"Hiding the Word of God provides much-needed nourishment when we're full of doubts and fears, or struggling with trials and tribulations." How true this is, and when we don't remember the words, we can always go to the Bible to find them. God is always with us and that is comforting. Thanks you for sharing at #LMMLinkup!
ReplyDeleteI hope that bobcat left still hungry. We have squirrels here in our Oak woods, and they collect the acorns. Our dogs chase them but do not catch them. God promises to meet with us in the secret place. Each of us have a different place to meet God. I love to talk to our Father while I walk our yard. At one place we lived and our children were teens (needing lots of prayer) I had a special supply closet in our office. At 7:00pm each evening I would meet the Lord and pray over things that needed attention. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story. I loved your inspiring post about Hidden Treasures.
ReplyDeleteThere are to many treasures to list here. What a great post and I don't think I will ever look at these critters the same now.
ReplyDeletePsalm 119 "I keep Your law {hidden} in my heart, so that I will not sin against You." Great post, Sharon. I love how God inspires us through His creation to seek out His ways. Thank you for encouraging me today, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Sharon. I love the picture of the woodpecker holes filled with huts.. definitely a great visual for a spiritual lesson of hiding Gods Word in my heart - but the bobcat thing - that would have totally freaked me out - just saying, even if doors and glass were between us. I found you today at #cofeeshopconversations
ReplyDeleteBeing a country girl, I totally get the animal references:) I love those little creatures too. They're so diligent in they're work. God grant us the strength to do the same...hidden treasures is right!
ReplyDeleteI did not realize woodpeckers stored acorns, how neat! Would you believe we don't have any squirrels around here? Come to think of it, I haven't seen any chipmunks either, but we do have prairie dogs, so I guess that is close enough. This is a wonderful post, thank you for linking with Thankful Thursdays, Sharon.
ReplyDeleteI needed this today Sharon. Thankyou. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteSuch a hope-filled post! I especially loved this reminder, "When you can't find your way in the dark, go back to what you knew and believed in the light." My focus needs to be on what I knew in the light. No what what darkness surrounds me there is hope.Thank you for sharing with the Let Us Grow community.
ReplyDeleteA bobcat on the porch. Was that during the day? I wouldn't leave my house! I agree with you on having our fat burned up during a winter's sleep.
ReplyDeleteThank you sharing this encouragement! I love the correlations you find in things and how it always redirects to faith. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)
ReplyDelete