Sometimes on cold winter nights, I enjoy soaking in a tub of nice hot water.  I add my bath oil, climb in, and enjoy myself.  Soaking in the warm water relaxes me, makes me feel peaceful, and when I leave the water, the sweet fragrance of the oil lingers.

This world is “cold” to those who truly follow Jesus.  We need to often “soak” in the warmth of His Word.  That is, spend time reading it, studying it, and meditating on it.  Even as the Psalmist tells us, we need to keep His Word ever before us; constantly “soaking” in His promises, His instructions and His love.

Remember when Jesus visited Mary and Martha?  Martha was real busy fixing dinner for Jesus; Mary wanted only to sit at His feet and “soak up” His words.  It’s not that Martha was doing anything wrong, indeed, she was “serving the Lord.”  And the Scripture tells us to be doers of the Word, not hearers only.  But it is necessary that we also spend time at Jesus’ feet, “soaking up” His Words.

When we, like Mary, sit quietly at His feet “soaking” in His Word, we find that not only do His Words relax our anxieties, but His peace indeed rules in our hearts.  And when we leave our time with Him, the sweet fragrance of Jesus clings to us, drawing others to Him. (Reprint from December 1989)