Joyful Word
The most wonderful meal in the world
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Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)
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What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?
Every year for my birthday I always go out for a nice, big, juicy, steak.
Somehow it feels like a celebration when I can get my hands on some steak. Or, rather, a fork and knife. I’m not an animal.
That may be my favorite main course, but for dessert?
I love eating cheesecake.
But how does that all compare to “eating” the Word of God?
As much as I love steak & cheesecake, they are not the delight of my heart. And the joy I get from them is temporary.
God’s Word lasts forever.
Its impact on me is an investment in my ongoing life, plus the lives of people I get the privilege of sharing with along the way.
I like the picture that Jeremiah paints here, about eating God’s Word and finding it such a wonderful experience. How it reinforces his calling, even though his calling was probably the most painful prophet calling in all of the Old Testament.
Even in the toughest of life’s circumstances, we can find joy & delight in God’s Word.
I often turn to the Psalms whenever I’m feeling blue.
Some of them give poetic words to my frustrations. Some of them give me hope to rely on God. And some of them kick me a little “kick in the pants” so I can stop feeling bad and get back to work.
At different times, I need each.
I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me.
All I have to do is eat.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.