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 MEMORABLE DISCOVERY. What is meant by finding God's words? 1. A thing found has usually to be sought for. Happy is he who reads or hears the Scriptures, searching all the while for the hidden spiritual sense (Proverbs 2:4, 5). 2. To find God's Word means that we have been made to understand them (1 Corinthians 3:14). The Bible is a dull book till illuminated; a tantalising riddle till you get the key; but, the clue once found, it absorbs our attention, delights our intellect, and enriches our heart. 3. Means to appropriate it as belonging to yourself. Reading a will is not interesting till you find you have a part in it. II. AN EAGER RECEPTION. What is meant by eating them? 1. An eager study. Greedy for the truth. My soul hungered even to ravenousness to be fed upon the bread of heaven. 2. Cheerful reception. My soul was in love with the Word. 3. An intense belief. Not questioning it, but living upon it. 4. The language means, besides, both the diligent treasuring up of the truth, and the inward digestion of the same. III. THE HAPPY CONSEQUENCES. 1. Hold the truth in its entirety and harmony, and then it will be joy to your heart. 2. The Word of God would have given no joy had he not been obedient to it. 3. Yet there are certain choice truths in God's Word, especially joy giving: the doctrine of election, to know that you are called and predestinated; and of the immutability of Divine love. IV. A DISTINGUISHING TITLE. 1. The name of the Lord of hosts was reviled in Jeremiah's day, yet he felt it an honour to be associated with the Lord in this contempt. Oh ye who love the Lord Jesus, never shun the scandal of the Cross! 2. Some do not count it a fair thing to bear the name of the Most High. It is a disgrace to any man that his Lord should die for his soul on Calvary and yet he be afraid to wear His livery. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) 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. |
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