We know hunger and thirst. Most Americans do not know hunger the way the world’s truly poor know it. But everyone has been hungry. Can you remember the last time? Can you remember the satisfaction of finally eating?
Bible readers over the centuries have known hunger well, living through wars and famines, and in deserts and barren wastelands or icy tundra where food was scarce. So Jeremiah crafts a perfect metaphor:
“When I found Your words, I devoured them, and they became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, because I bear Your name, Oh God of the Angel Armies!” Jeremiah 15:16.
To what does Jeremiah compare Bible reading? Eating.
And why does Bible reading bring him so much joy? Because he bears God’s name.
Like Jeremiah, we bear the name of the God who is the Commander of the Angel Armies. We are officers in God’s army. And when we consume His word, it brings us deep joy because it reminds us of His love and forgiveness, and of our purpose and eternal destiny.
Have you experienced that joy? Have you ever read the Word and realized how much joy it was bringing you? Even when we are not aware of it, spending time in God’s Word fills our hearts with peace and joy.
If you have fear, anxiety, or stress, read your Bible. Read the Gospels, or one of Paul’s letters to the churches. After a few minutes, your anxiety will lift and you will feel peace. And if you spend more time—if you FILL UP on the Word, if you FEAST on the Word, it will fill your heart with JOY.
We eat every day. There are six billion people around the world, and every one of them tries to eat every day. Most eat two, three, or more times a day. Why do we think we can go days, weeks even, without FEEDING OUR SOULS the Word of God?
Feast on the Word. It will fill you with PEACE and JOY.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 