Day 38
Today's Scripture:
Jeremiah 15
Key Verses:
Jeremiah 15:16
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
Psalm 119:111
"Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart."
John 15:11
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
The Point:
A Thriving Heart Finds Joy in His Word
A thriving heart doesn't just read God's Word, it delights in it. Joy comes when His truth isn't distant or mechanical, but joy comes when His truth becomes our daily nourishment and source of strength.
Jeremiah lived in dark days, judgment was looming, the people resisted God's voice, and Jeremiah's calling was a heavy burden (See Today's Scripture Jeremiah 15). Yet even in the midst of desperate times, Jeremiah declared that God's Word was his joy and rejoicing. Why? Because God's Word isn't dependent on circumstances. It is life-giving, hope-restoring, and joy-producing. When we approach Scripture, it isn't simply a duty; it's a feast. Jeremiah says, "I did eat them," he consumed God's words until they became part of him. A thriving heart does the same: it meditates, savors, and finds delight in God's truth. In our fast-paced lives, we can slip into treating the Bible like a checklist. But God invites us to slow down and taste His Word and let it fuel our joy, anchor our emotions, and strengthen our walk. Joy isn't found in possessions, people, or performance. It's rooted in the God who speaks and reveals Himself through His Word.
Illustration:
During the dark days of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln often carried a pocket-sized New Testament with him. Eyewitnesses recount that in moments of exhaustion and crushing responsibility, he would pause, open its worn pages, and quietly read. Though burdened by the weight of a nation torn apart, Lincoln found strength and even joy in the promises of Scripture. Just as Jeremiah declared, God's Word became a source of rejoicing in his heart, something no battlefield or political storm could take away.
Meditate on the Key Verses (Jeremiah 15:16, Psalm 119:111, John 15:11) and answer these Reflection Questions:
- Do I approach God's Word as a delight or as a duty?
- When was the last time Scripture genuinely stirred joy in my heart?
- What practical step can I take to delight in God's Word more deeply this week?
Prayer Time
Worship:
- Read Psalm 19:7-10 (below) aloud and thank God for the beauty, sweetness, and truth of His Word.
Psalm 19:7-10 "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
Praise:
- Lift up praise for specific promises in God's Word that have sustained you through trials.
Confession:
- Confess the times when you've treated Scripture casually or neglected it altogether. Ask God to renew your hunger for His Word.
Intercessory Prayers:
- Pray for others in your life who are weary, discouraged, or drifting. Ask God to help them rediscover joy in the Word of God.
Petitions:
- Ask God to give you a daily appetite for His Word, and for your heart to respond with joy, not just knowledge.
Action:
- Today, choose one verse that brings you joy and write it down where you will see it daily. Each time you see it, pause and thank God for His Word.