I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. (Jer. 31:33)
WHILE WALKING MY DOGS ONE MORNING, I met an elderly man with a Coton de Tulear, a rare dog breed. Coton is French for cotton. Since one of my dogs is also a Coton, I struck up a conversation with the man. He told me his Coton had awakened him one night a few months earlier by jumping on his bed and barking loudly. At first the man, who lives alone, thought a burglar was in the house, but then he realized he was having chest pains. He drove himself to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with a heart blockage that required open-heart surgery.
Dogs are amazing pets. Somehow, the Coton knew what was going on in his master’s heart and alerted him.
Of course, even the smartest pet can’t tell if God’s Word is written on our hearts, but God knows if it is written there. Our family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers may know too. Surely, the Holy Spirit will use the Word written on our hearts to help us say and do what honors and pleases God. Psalm 119:11 states, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Further, Colossians 3:16–17 links the indwelling Word of Christ with the outflow of a holy life.
Write God’s Word on your heart by reading it and meditating on it.
Jim Dyet was born in Scotland and grew up in Canada. Married fifty-six years, he and Gloria live in Colorado Springs, where Jim enjoys golf and daily walks with their dogs.
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