The phrase “treasures of darkness” may sound ominous or unsettling, yet it contains one of Scripture’s most profound promises. Hidden within seasons of darkness are treasures that God alone reveals.

Cyrus – Prophetic Picture

God’s promises are eternal for His people – Jew and Gentile alike. Isaiah recorded one of God’s promises. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, Isaiah 45:3.

This prophecy referred to Cyrus, the Persian king, whom God raised up to allow the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland, Ezra 1-4. Israel had spent seventy years in Babylon, just as Jeremiah had prophesied, Jeremiah 25:11, through their disobedience.

When Cyrus conquered Babylon, he inherited vast riches that had been hidden by the Babyloninans in secret vaults and chambers. God said He would give the king treasures that no one else could discover.

Like many Old Testament figures, Cyrus foreshadowed Christ. Calvary was the greatest place of darkness in human history. God accomplished fallen humanity’s redemption, John 3:16, through Christ’s sacrifice. The greatest treasure ever revealed.

Why Does God Hide Treasure

Scripture tells us: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter, Proverbs 25:1. God hides treasure not to keep things from us, but to encourage us into a deeper pursuit of Him.

He invites us to:

• Seek Him with wholehearted desire
• Know Him in the secret place, Psalm 91:1
• Depend upon His wisdom rather than our own abilities
• Grow in faith
• Develop character required to carry greater responsibility.

God Desires

God desires relationship not just knowledge of Him, as seeking Him, transforms us into the image of His Son, Ephesians 4:13. He alone knows where the treasure lies, which is often discovered during, or just after dark seasons.

Darkness is simply the absence of visible light. Reality has not disappeared it is merely hidden from our sight. Through ‘now‘ faith, Hebrews 11:1, God reveals what has always been there.

Hidden Mysteries Revealed

Each covenant in the Old Testament revealed a different aspect of God’s character. Yet all ultimately point to their fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the 8th Covenant.

Jesus declared He would reveal things hidden since before the foundation of the world, Matthew 13:35. Paul then described the mystery that was revealed in Christ, Colossians 1:26. Jew and Gentile alike would be one people in God’s kingdom, Ephesians 3:3–11.

After Calvary, the immeasurable riches of God’s kingdom were opened to all.

What are the Treasures of Darkness

God’s treasures are not primarily material wealth. They are eternal riches that include:

• A deeper understanding of God’s purpose – complete restoration
• A greater revelation of who Christ is
• Deeper intimacy with God
• Our secure identity in Christ
• Increasing faith and trust
• Spiritual wisdom and discernment.

These cannot be obtained through human intelligence or religious effort. They are only revealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 3:16.

Seasons of Darkness

Followers of Christ experience seasons of light and darkness. It is the fiery trials of darkness that enables us to more fully appreciate the light.

Just as day is followed by night, night is followed by dawn. The cycle continues until the eternal day when there shall be no night, Revelation 22:5.

Disciples Experience

Peter, James, and John experienced both day and night when they witnessed Christ’s glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1–8. The glory was followed by the shocking plunge into the darkness and agony of Calvary. Soon to be followed by the wonder of the resurrected Christ and Pentecost, Acts 2.

God often prepares us on the mountain before leading us through the valley. Yet, He always causes us to rise again, for a bruised reed He will not break, Isaiah 42:3.

What Darkness Often Looks Like

Seasons of darkness may involve:

• Agonizing suffering
• Overwhelming grief
• Deep disappointment
• Seasons of waiting
• Uncertainty about the future and regrets of the past.

Darkness is not passive. It is a place where faith makes daily choices to trust God despite what cannot be seen, Hebrews 11:1.

No one willingly chooses these valleys. Yet, they often become the places where we know God most deeply and finally learn true dependence upon Him. 

What God Accomplishes in the Darkness

Just as God’s greatest love was revealed at the Cross, His deepest work in us is often during life’s darkest seasons. The place where you discover more about yourself than what the world teaches you.

In the times of darkness He:

• Purifies motives
• Highlights selfish ambition
• Calls us to separate from worldly dependence
• Teaches us humility
• Frees us from the fear of death and or the fear of life
• Helps us discover our true identity in Christ.

The deeper our desire to know God, the deeper the valley and the more He draws us to Himself. Depths that bring about true and lasting transformation and peace that passes all understanding. It is where we discover God in a very personal relationship.

God knows how long we can endure the darkness of the night. A battered reed He will not break, Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 12:20.

What God Sees

Others may see weakness, failure, or loss – God sees something entirely different. Much of God’s greatest work within us remains hidden from human eyes. It is formed in the secret place and purchased at great cost, 1 Corinthians 6:20.

God delights in bringing priceless treasures out of places that appear empty, broken and unwanted. Paul teaches that tribulation:

• Produces perseverance
• Proves character
• Discloses hope that never disappoints, Romans 5:3–5.

Jesus instructed us to lay up treasure in heaven, Matthew 6:20. When we finally surrender everything to God, we are His treasured possession, 1 Peter 2:9. Treasure that is more valuable than anything this world can offer, Matthew 13:45, 46. All else is vanity, Ecclesiastes 1:1. 

Scripture Examples

Scripture shows God brings greatness through, or after adversity:

•  Noah cruelly mocked
• Moses 40 years in the wilderness
• Giden hid in fear
• Rahab a woman of ill repute – included in Christ’s genealogy
• Ruth a widowed Gentile — included in Christ’s genealogy
• David – overlooked shepherd boy
• Peter – Christ denier
• Paul – murderer of Christians

Their lives prove that:  

• Light follows darkness
• Resurrection follows death
• Joy comes in the morning
• Strength is perfected in weakness
• Wisdom is born through trial
• Glory follows suffering – when we remain humble before God, 1 Peter 5:6
• The true and lasting way up, is the way down.

God Alone Reveals

Long before we were born, God prepared an eternal purpose for our lives, Ephesians 1:4. Much of that calling remains hidden until we allow Him to shape us through life’s difficult seasons.

Before hidden treasure can bless others, it must first be:

• Tested.
• Proven.
• Revealed.

God specialises in uncovering what He has already placed within us. Many carry hidden treasures, but are not prepared to pay the cost of having that treasure revealed.

Many are Called

Jesus said, Many are called, but few are chosen, Matthew 22:14. Most Christians are too busy kicking against the dark times, or goads, Acts 26:14, and miss the value of God’s treasure. Goads were long wooden rods with a sharp point, used to prod the oxen while plowing.

All are invited into relationship with the great I Am that I Am, Exodus 3:14. However, God desires more. He wants us to mature into the fullness of Christ, Ephesians 4:13, and become His chosen people, 1 Peter 2:9.

The Greatest Treasure

The amazing treasures of darkness and the secret place, is that it is where God forms Christ’s character within us and reveals truths that cannot be learned any other way.

The greatest treasure is never what God gives us – it is knowing Him more deeply. Our relationship with Him is the only thing we take into eternity and Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure of all.

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Dr. Wendy is a servant of the Lord who lives to share words of encouragement from the Word of God in these end of time days.

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