Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name… I. A HIGH VALUATION FOR THIS WORD. Prized as God's Word, and sought under that character. Love to the Word of God is a sure sign of a gracious heart. 1. It partakes of the Divinity of its Author. 2. It is adapted to the nature of its subject; suited to man. 3. It has produced most astonishing effects. (1) Have you found this Word? (2) Has it found you? II. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF ITS POWER. "I did eat it." 1. Religion is the life of the soul, as the soul is the life of the body. Truth is the sustenance of the moral man. Divine truth must be incorporated with the elements of the intellectual nature, or we perish. 2. When you come to the Word, remember that Divine influence alone can make it effectual. As you say grace before meat, let your reading be preceded by prayer. III. A CONSCIOUS PARTICIPATION OF THE HAPPINESS IT PRODUCES. "It was the rejoicing of my heart." How does it promote joy? 1. By the light it imparts to the understanding. It gives decision to the judgment; fully occupies the mind upon the noblest subject; engages faculties and powers in God's service. 2. By the relief it gives to the conscience. In the hope of pardon and acceptance. 3. By the exercise it affords to the best affections of the heart. The pleasures of benevolence are genuine pleasures; allied to the happiness of God Himself. 4. By the consolations and hopes under sorrow. IV. A SENSE OF CONSECRATION. "I am called by Thy name." Improvement — It reproves — 1. Those who never seek. 2. Those who are content with knowledge without experience. 3. Those who are strangers to religious peace and joy. 4. Those who neither own God's name, nor are owned of Him. (S. Thodey.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |