Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Jeremiah 31:33b – I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (NRSV)

In these days of an internet’s worth of information at our fingertips, we hardly ever memorize anything anymore.  If it’s that easy to look it up, why bother?  A few decades ago, we encouraged children to memorize scripture in Sunday School.  Some of you may even remember the verses you learned then.

In times like these, when anxiety preys so easily and often on our hearts, it is good to have some words from scripture “written on our hearts”.  We’re not looking for “magic words,” but rather for assurances of God’s love that we can repeat with each breath in and out, to bring calm and peace to our souls.  Do you have any verses that you use this way?  It’s good to have something you can turn to, when things seem overwhelming.

One that I have used over the years is John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  Others hold tightly to John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

When life seems overwhelming, it can be relieving to recall the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Or maybe you need the firmer reminder in Psalm 46:10, where it says, “Be still, and know that I am God!”

It is good to know your way around the Bible and even how to use a concordance, when trying to connect longer passages and recognize themes.  But in anxious times, it’s a gift to have a little bit of scripture “written on your heart” so you can know that God is your God and you belong to God.  I encourage you to find and memorize a verse or two that will help carry you through when times are tough.