Editor's note: Happy first day of Spring! Enjoy today's devotion from Devotions for the Spring!
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When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, Lord God Almighty. — Jeremiah 15:16
Think about that one dessert you simply can’t resist. Is it strawberry shortcake made with the first fresh berries of the season? Grandma’s yummy lemon squares? Or rich and decadent chocolate cake? Whatever it is, when it’s on the menu, a piece of it is coming your way. And, when it shows up, you are going to eat it. You’re not simply going to look at it, or smell it, or post a picture to social media.
- When something that fabulous is before you, you eat every single bite.
When the words of the Lord came to Jeremiah, he said, “I ate them.” Don’t you love that imagery? He didn’t just hear them. He didn’t just pass the words along. No, Jeremiah took them in and let them settle deep within, and when he did, they brought him joy. When Jeremiah filled himself with Scripture, he filled himself with joy.
If we want to be filled with joy, we need to be filled with the Word of God. Let’s learn to gorge ourselves on truth.
Your words, Lord, are an absolute joy to me. Speak to me, for I will not let a single one of them go to waste.
Zesty Lemon Squares
Makes 9 servings
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons grated lemon zest
4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional powdered sugar, for dusting
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 baking pan with butter, or spray with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix the 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Cut in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture comes together to form a dough.
Press dough out evenly in baking pan to cover the bottom of the pan, going slightly up the edges. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are barely golden. Remove from oven.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, 3 teaspoons lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons flour, baking powder, and salt with an electric mixer until light in color and well combined.
Pour mixture onto warm crust and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until set. Remove from oven to a cooling rack and let cool completely. Dust the top with additional powdered sugar before cutting.
Excerpted with permission from Devotions for the Spring, copyright Thomas Nelson.
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Your Turn
Are you hungry for the Lord and the Word of God? Eat up and find yourself filled with joy! ~ Devotionals Daily