Jeremiah 15:16 - Devouring Words

We left the dog in the kitchen and returned after a few hours. As expected, when we entered the door, he ferociously wagged his tail. He was so glad to see us. That is, until we started to yell, "What did you do!? BAD DOG!"

My mother-in-law had sent us a letter. It had been sitting, unopened, on the kitchen table, waiting for us to read it. Unfortunately, it was in easy reach of a bored, hungry, sixty-seven pound Golden Doodle. The dog decided that he'd sort of open the letter with his teeth and see what was inside, then summarize it for us when we got home. Sort of. He hadn't even enjoyed eating the paper. He simply shredded, mangled and slobbered on it.

Sadly, the dog has some memory issues. He can't remember the command, "Don't chew paper!" any more than he can remember the contents of a letter.

Jeremiah wrote:
"When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies." (Jeremiah 15:16, New Living Translation, 2015)

Jeremiah didn't just nibble at the words of God. He didn't chew them a bit and then spit them out. With a voracious appetite, he "devoured" the words of God--he internalized them into his life. No one devours a  food they dislike. On the other hand, Psalm 119 says, "How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey." (Psalm 119:103, NLT)

God, Keep us from just nibbling at your words only to leave them shredded and unusable. Give us minds to comprehend and hearts to delight in Your truth--an appetite to devour your words. As those called by the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.