Jeremiah 15:16
“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.”
Over the years as a Christian Counselor and Pastor, I have been inundated with people who experience sadness and depression. In most cases there had been, or presently was, a devastating event, but not always.
I may not be the smartest man in the world, but one thing I learned quite early is that you don’t tell someone to cheer up and be happy when their chin is on the ground and they are so low they have to look up to see the ground!
Is there a solution to overcome the problem of our heartache and despair? Well, according to today’s Scripture, joy and delight come from devouring God’s Word. That means more than simply reading His Word—we need to memorize it and meditate on it as well.
Back in 1910 an evangelist by the name of Luther Bridgers was traveling to preach the Word. His wife and three boys stayed with her parents while he was away. One night while she was there, the house caught on fire and Bridger’s wife and three sons died in the flames.
When word of the tragedy reached Rev. Bridgers he was crushed. He immediately went to the Lord in prayer and allowed Him to do what no human counselor could do. After a time, he felt the joy that only the Lord can give. He knew that he would see his family again when he went to be with the Lord.
As he felt the healing strength of the Lord pour over him and fill him with a joy that the world can never know, he penned the words to a song that has filled many of us with hope across the years.
“THERE’S WITHIN MY HEART A MELODY”
There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
“Fear not I am with thee, Peace, be still
in all of life’s ebb and flow.”(Refrain) Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest name I know.
Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.Though sometimes he leads through waters deep,
trials fall across the way,
though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
see his footprints all the way.(Refrain)
Soon he’s coming back to welcome me
far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown;
I shall reign with him on high.(Refrain)
Is there a melody in your heart today? Are you fractured, broken, full of suffering and pain? In the midst of the stormy seas of life there comes One who is able to give joy and peace in the midst of our turmoil.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
— Pastor Cecil