What’s the first word that flashes into your mind when you think of Fort Knox? The US Army Installation in Kentucky? By the way, the town in which it is located is also called Fort Knox.

Last week I preached near (within 10-15 miles) the Base, and went there! This tank is situated at one of the main gates, heavy armor indeed!

But I suspect that’s not the first image you picture!

No … not me anyway.

Gold!

Fort Knox!

Yes, I made this photo too, but NOT in the Federal Depository itself. They wouldn’t even talk to me about a tour there! It is a “mock” display in the Fort’s Welcome Center! But I did see the building in which our Nation’s “gold reserves” (if we still have any) are held, guarded.

It’s a strange world now. People can burn our Nation’s flag at will, with no repercussions, consequences. But you even can’t see the few bars of gold that (so-called) secure our monetary system!

Today’s Bible Lesson …

The first mention of “gold” in the Bible surprised me. It’s in the second chapter of Genesis! Pretty early in the Book! “And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is GOLD; and the GOLD of that land is good.” Genesis 2:10-12 here, King James Version.

And the last mention? Revelation 21:21, the next-to-last Chapter in all Scripture! “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Astounding!

A Land with gold!

A City with gold!

What else about gold in the Bible is impressive?

Something about Wisdom, the very Wisdom of God! “How much better is it to get wisdom than GOLD! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” Proverbs 16:16

And God’s Word, too! Every Word He has ever spoken, His “Words” specifically! “More to be desired are they than GOLD, yea, than much fine GOLD: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:10

And our faith in Jesus, especially when it is being tested! Peter wrote: “That the trial of your faith (Christian friends), being much more precious than of GOLD that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1st Peter 1:7-8

Job agrees with Peter. “But He (the Lord God) knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as GOLD.” Purified, even more valuable!

The word “gold” is found in the Bible a total of 417 times, if I’ve counted correctly!

Wow!

Good teaching, the Truth, is worth a lot as well! Like hearing God’s man Sunday after Sunday, expounding the Scriptures! “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.” A wise teacher to her pupil, Proverbs 8:10.

All I am trying to say today is this … consider the things you have in Jesus! Their value!

The Wisdom God is imparting to you day by day.

The Bible you love and study.

Your faith in Christ, and the tests it faces from time to time, further proving its reality.

Next week’s Sunday School Lesson too, for that matter.

And family devotions when you teach your child (or grandchild) the things of God.

ALL THESE THINGS (AND NO DOUBT OTHERS AS WELL) … WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD!!!

More gold that Fort Knox has ever seen, I suspect.

Count your blessings, today.

Oh, the “riches” we enjoy in Christ Jesus our Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell