Years ago, my mom and I used to love to go to Long John Silver’s Seafood. However, it wasn’t the fish that we loved, it was the crunchies.
In the bottom of each basket of fish was a bed of crunchies; those tiny bits of batter that fall from the fish in the fryer. When the fish was scooped out, those yummy little bits were gathered with the serving and dumped in the bottom of the dish as a “crunchy bed” for the fish to lie on. Many people didn’t even notice them but, oh, my, they were the best part of the whole meal!
When I read my Bible, I love to find special, often unnoticed “crunchie” bits to enjoy. Sometimes, it is those events that can be so easily overlooked that are the little details that reveal the personality of God.
My personal favorites are:
God walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the evening. Since Adam and Eve hid and He called out, “Where are you?” I believe God liked to spend time with them (Genesis 3:8-9). A lot of attention is given to the original sin; but hiding in the background is the fact God spent time with his children. Maybe they would sit together, in the grass under the trees, talking, laughing? God created us for relationship with Him; He enjoys spending time with us! ———
God, himself, buried the body of his friend, Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). Moses is the only person ever said to be a friend of God (Exodus 33:11a.) God’s personal care for his friend’s remains shows the intimacy they shared. Scripture says that the death of God’s saints is precious in His sight (Ps. 116:15). He cares about the everyday events of our life and even the final details of our earthly stay. ———-
Jesus at the wedding in Cana; the first recorded miracle was where he turned the water into wine (John 2:1-11). He could have turned the water into the same wine the guests had been drinking; but, instead, he made the wine into the best wine of all! God so often blesses his children extravagantly, over and above what is necessary (John 10:10). It’s a “God’s love for his children” thing. ———-
Jesus, in his agony on the cross, made sure his mother’s care was not left to chance. With the sin weight of the world on his shoulders; he made certain his mom would be taken care of after his death (John 19:26-27). Jesus cares about the long term details in our personal lives.
As I read the Bible during my quiet time of daily devotion; I look for the crunchies. Your crunchies may be different than mine. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you those crunchy little bits that will minister to your heart. God wants a personal relationship with you. Relationship is about intimacy; seek Him and you will find Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Prayer: Father, you created me to have a relationship with you, thank you for wanting me. Help me to realize how much you love me and to always remember to set aside time each day to spend with you. I love you. Amen.
Scripture references:
Genesis 3:8-9 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Deuteronomy 34:5-6 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.
Exodus 33:11a The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
John 2:1-11 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother(A) there, and the disciple whom he loved(B) standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.