I base the title of today’s Lesson on something Jeremiah the Prophet said long ago. Let me show you …

“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.” Jeremiah 15:16

God’s Word “found,” using “matzsah” in Hebrew. The verb is translated “to befall” five times in the King James Version. And “to meet” five more times. I am so thankful one day God’s Word “met” me! It “fell” into my life, Glory to the Lamb!

But immediately there is another verb … “did eat!” Translated “to devour” 111 times in the Bible, “akal” in a progressive verb, ongoing (durative) action being depicted! Eating and eating and eating! Ingesting, personalizing, internalizing, meditating upon it!

Then, step three. Here comes the “joy!” In Hebrew “sason” means “to exult,” better yet, “to display joy!” It is based on the root word “sus,” a mere horse … but in the sense of its prancing and pawing and running all around the pasture! (Green pastures I suspect!)

God’s Word, Jeremiah testifies, can put a smile on your face! (The noun “rejoicing” is the old standby “simchah,” meaning “to brighten up, to be filled with gladness!”)

See the progression?

God’s Word … found, God’s Word eaten, then (dramatically, explosively) JOY!

Try it, folks.

It’s the Truth!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Looks to me like there may be one more thing God’s Word brought to Jeremiah … ASSURANCE OF HIS STANDING WITH GOD!Notice the rest of the verse … “For I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” What great peace!

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