When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord, God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16
One morning I kissed my young son, then watched him turn, wipe off the kiss, and pat his chest. I felt sad, thinking he was growing up and feeling too old for kisses. Suddenly, he twirled around, looked up, and said, “Do you know what I did?” Afraid to admit my sad thoughts, I shook my head.
Grinning, he said, “I took the kiss you gave me and put it in my heart. I won’t get sad today ’cause it will be here where I can feel it.” His words lifted my heart. My son treasured the kiss and wanted to keep it close to him all day.
It made me think of countless times when words of God, learned by heart, rushed into my mind to ease sadness or help me in troubled times. I thought of how God wants us to devour His words and keep them in our hearts as special treasures. Then, when we need a word of encouragement, joy, or comfort, we can open up a treasure chest of words in our hearts where we can feel them and know God is with us. How God must rejoice when he watches us memorize a verse or recall one at a moment we need comfort. How God must smile when we dwell on a scripture, sing one, or fall asleep reflecting on a verse.
We can rejoice, even in troubles, when we have stored a bounty of priceless treasure. What scripture is in your heart today?
Father, thank you for lessons from our children and for your Word that we can hold close in our hearts.
Karen Whiting is an international speaker, former television host, and author of twenty-two books, including 365 Devotions for Hope.
Note: The original devotion appeared in Treasure of a Woman’s Heart, 2000, edited by Lynn D. Morrisey. This has been changed a little.