December 9, 2025 Devo

In Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is the Crater of Diamonds State Park. It’s one of the few places on Earth where the public can search for diamonds at their original volcanic source. It’s an eroded volcanic crater that is now a 37-acre plowed field. What’s cool is you can keep whatever you find! Now, before you blow that off as just hype with your “I’ll bet nobody ever finds anything,” comment, let me assure you they do. In fact, the largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S. was found there. It’s called the Uncle Sam Diamond and was a whopping 40.23 carats! Just a few years ago, a woman named Pat Choate from Jacksonville, Arkansas, found a 3.29-carat brown diamond there. She made the comment that she and her husband often saw the sign for the Crater of Diamonds but never took the time to stop and look around. She found the diamond within 30 minutes of arriving at the park.
God’s Word is a “crater of diamonds,” too. It’s full of gems that are of incredible value. Sometimes it’s a word. I wrote in a devotional the other day about the word “discernment.” That word jumped off the page at me when I read it. It was a rich few moments with God as I thought about areas in my life that I’m thinking about and issues I’m dealing with. “That’s what I need, Lord. Discernment.” That word was my “jewel” for the day. It was my found treasure. And it was worth every minute of my search.
Sometimes the gem in God’s Word you discover is a new idea or a new insight. Sometimes it’s the exact word of comfort that you need. I’ve had people tell me that they were wrestling with a problem and God gave them a direct answer from their time that day in the scriptures. I remember once, when I was burning the candle at both ends, I read the passage, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.” God used that treasure to make me slow down, put a few things on hold, and give more attention to “being” rather than “doing.” I’ve shared that treasure many times with other pastors and leaders.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is about a five-hour drive from where I live, but it sounds like a fun place to visit. I like to hike anyway, so I might as well look for a few gems while I’m at it! But you can visit God’s Crater of Diamonds without ever leaving your home. You can visit it at work, at the coffee shop, or even listen while sitting in your car. Just open His Word and ask His Holy Spirit to guide you. I’m praying today that God gives you a word, a phrase, a thought, or an understanding that will be your “great treasure” today. Be sure to share what you find. God’s gems are a blessing to everyone! That’s God’s Word for you today.