Page 105 - Yahwehs Book

and forth along the trail, some men had to walk upwards of 2,000 miles, and half of this walk was
with a heavy load on their back. All told, some gold seekers traveled nearly 5,000 miles from their
homes to get to the gold fields.

The summit of the pass was reached with a final climb up 1,200 steps that were cut into the ice.
These were called the “golden stairs.” The gold seeker had to leave his supplies at the top of the pass
and mark his spot with a tall stake so that he could find it in the deep snow that was falling. Over
seventy feet of snow was recorded in the years mentioned, and at one point the snow built up so deep
along the trail that when a few warm days occurred in April a tremendous avalanche occurred that
buried 63 people. As soon as the bodies were dug out and carried downhill, the trek began again.

All this time men and women were having to live in the most primitive of accommodations. They
slept in tents in the frigid weather, and lived on the most basic of diets. Once the prospectors reached
the lake with their supplies they had to build a boat which was a task most had never done before.
Trees for miles around the lake were cut down, and each board had to be hand sawn using a
whipsaw, a two man saw, and this was more back breaking labor. This was no small boat that had
to be constructed, for it had to carry a ton of supplies. Many men worked in teams and were therefore
transporting two tons of goods.

How were men able to bring themselves to endure such rigors? They had their eye on the prize set
before them. They dreamed of gold and all that it could buy them. How much greater is the prize that
lies ahead of the overcomer in Christ? It is of immeasurably greater value. Should we not be willing
to endure some hardship as we pursue this faith which Yahweh so highly esteems? The apostle Paul
stated that the suffering that is the portion of the saints in Christ is not worthy to be compared with
the glory to be revealed in the ages to come.

There were those among the gold seekers who traveled the Chilkoot Pass on the way to the Yukon
who became millionaires. The satisfaction that was theirs upon receiving the prize they sought was
made all the sweeter as they recounted the arduous path they trod to attain it. There were also many
men and women who arrived at the Pass, and upon seeing the great difficulty of it, they turned back
and returned home. Those who endured had a satisfaction that could not be bought. I can imagine
them telling their children and grandchildren of the struggle, the suffering, and the final victory they
achieved. Yet all this was merely in pursuit of the gold that perishes.
[End Excerpt]

How much do you value truth? What estimate do you place upon the apprehension of the mysteries
of God? What are you willing to expend in order to uncover the treasures of darkness and to obtain
the hidden wealth of secret places?

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Isaiah 45:3
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places...”