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Bible in a Year:
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heartâs delight.
Early in his fifty-year ministry in Cambridge, England, Charles Simeon (1759â1836) met a neighboring pastor, Henry Venn, and his daughters. After the visit, the daughters remarked how harsh and self-assertive the young man seemed. In response, Venn asked his daughters to pick a peach from the trees. When they wondered why their father would want the unripe fruit, he responded, âWell, my dears, it is green now, and we must wait; but a little more sun, and a few more showers, and the peach will be ripe and sweet. So it is with Mr. Simeon.â
Over the years Simeon did soften through Godâs transforming grace. One reason was his commitment to read the Bible and pray every day. A friend who stayed with him for a few months witnessed this practice and remarked, âHere was the secret of his great grace and spiritual strength.â
Simeon in his daily time with God followed the practice of the prophet Jeremiah, who faithfully listened for Godâs words. Jeremiah depended on them so much that he said, âWhen your words came, I ate them.â He mulled and chewed over Godâs words, which were his âjoyâ and âheartâs delightâ (Jeremiah 15:16).
If we too resemble a sour green fruit, we can trust that God will help to soften us through His Spirit as we get to know Him through reading and obeying the Scriptures.
Reflect & Pray
How has reading the Bible changed you? Why might you sometimes not read it?
God, the Scriptures feed me and protect me from sin. Help me to read them every day.