Your words were found, and I ate them… (Jeremiah 15:16).
The Jewish prophet Jeremiah had a ministry period of 5 decades. He recounts more of his own life experience than any other prophet – the shape of his ministry, his audience and their reaction, his personal testing and private feelings.
And he was the prophet to witness the destruction of
Jerusalem by Babylon and the taking into captivity of the Jewish exiles.
My favourite Rembrandt painting is the Dutch master’s compelling portrait of the prophet in 1630, generally considered one his earlier masterpieces. The mourning prophet is depicted dejected and alone, grey-bearded head resting on his hand, while the Holy City is engulfed in flames behind him.
The Book of Jeremiah is the longest in the Bible when measured by word count. And it is a tough read – consistently depressing, gloomy and sad as the prophet proclaims the holiness of God and the righteousness of His present judgement.
But this verse is a rare gleam of light and hope and personal
triumph.
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became
to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD,
God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).
In this graphic metaphor, Jeremiah demonstrates his commitment to a diet of God’s Word.
I’ve said it often: one of the great ironies of the 21st century church is that although we have ready access to the Bible – on our phones and tablets with multiple copies and versions on the shelf – self-identified followers of Christ suffer from pervasive biblical illiteracy.
That is lamentable; but it is easily corrected with a
little discipline.
Takeaway: One of the most health-promoting habits
for any Christ-follower is to engage in a steady, intentional resolution to
read the Bible daily. Some read through it every year.
But the point I’m making is to be intentional about reading the Word of God.
Reading through the New Testament in a year will require
less than a chapter per day; the entire Bible will require you to read 100 chapters
per month.
There are free apps where the Bible is read to you.
Set a measurable goal. Put a time-frame on it.
Make a commitment to the Lord. And begin to eat!
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than
any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
