My "Word" for the Day

Jeremiah 15:16 "Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts." (NASB)

I've never read this verse until this morning in my quiet time, and my spirit vibrated with the Truth found in them. I could have written Jeremiah 15:16. One commentary says "ate them" means to meditate on; internalize. I've experienced joy and delight in feeding on (meditating on; memorizing and internalizing) God's Word. Today I realize that if I hadn't had panic disorder, if I had not plummeted to such deep despair, I never would have cried out to God nor immersed myself in His Word. And I would've continued to live in misery at the mercy of my emotions and dark thoughts. I would've never known the "rest" that Jesus spoke of or that my life could be different--that I could be different. I've discovered that losing my job and being forced to stay home--isolated--with no one to turn to except God has been the biggest blessing of my life. I rejoice in the fact that God allowed this so that I would realize I've been set apart for His purposes. I've been called by name, and I am on this planet to fulfill my calling. Blessed are you if you are struggling with panic, anxiety, or depression. This is your opportunity to truly lean on your God and let Him prove that He is "for" you and not against you in a way you could never have imagined. Let Him show you how He can be Lord of your life in the middle of your circumstances. Take this time to feed on His Word and let the verses become a joy to you and the delight of your heart. Blessed are you if you've been called by the LORD to experience Him in this way.

A God of Lovingkindness, Justice, and Righteousness

This morning my devotional was on Jeremiah 9:1, but as I read through the chapter, my eyes fell on verse 24 and the words penetrated my heart. Jeremiah 9:24 says, "'But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD."

God wants us to know Him and understand Him. That He is not a harsh, evil god, waiting to zap us for every mistake we make, but a God of lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness. How blessed we are to have a God who delights in such things and not in making our lives miserable--a God who's all powerful and who destroys all wickedness, but who is also so loving and gentle He can kiss the brow of a sleeping baby and not disturb its rest. That's the feeling I had when I read and meditated on this verse. Awesome God. Loving Father. Faithful Redeemer. Saviour. Friend.