Jeremiah’s Sixth “Confession”
Jeremiah 20:15-18
I) Why were we ___________?
A) To _____________ God
B) To _____________ God
C) To _____________ God
D) To _____________ God
E) To _____________ God
1) Through ______________
2) Through ______________
3) Through ______________
F) To _____________ for God
G) To _____________ God
1) Because He ____________ us
2) Because He gives us His ____________
3) Because He gives us an ________________
4) Because we have an eternal ____________
II) Which all means that life is ______________
A) God __________ us
B) We are unique from ______________!
C) We are ____________!
D) We have a _____________!
E) We should ___________!
Devotional Reading for February 8, 2026
We could see Joseph rebel. We could see him bemoan his predicament. Instead, he does what he can and thrives. Does he have his dreams in the back of his head, encouraging him? Is his faith in God that strong? Note his words: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Here’s what we do know: even when tempted to do evil, he doesn’t, and he initially suffers for it. But God continues to be with him, and he continues to do what is right!
Isaiah 41:10 (WEB) “Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness”
Thought for the day: Are you willing to do what is right even if you suffer for it?
1 Peter 3:14 (WEB) “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.”
Devotional Reading for February 7, 2026
While we don’t understand or like some of the cultural practices at the time, providing heirs was very important. In fact, we see the concept of levarite marriage eventually codified into the Mosaic law.
Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (WEB) “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.”
No-one wanted to do what was expected after Tamar’s husband died, so she took matters into her own hands. God used Judah’s infidelity to provide for her. The Bible also sees God behind the deaths of Er and Onan. Did God orchestrate them, or simply allow them to happen? Either way, God decreed or allowed their deaths, which is another nod to His sovereignty.
You may remember the concept of levarite marriage under a different name: kinsman redeemer. It’s a big part of the book of Ruth!
Thought for the day: How are you doing with your family obligations? Hopefully you don’t have to be tricked into fulfilling them!
1 Timothy 5:8 (WEB) “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Devotional Reading for February 6, 2026
Joseph, as favorite, apparently felt pretty secure in order to relay his dreams to his family. Didn’t he realize it would make everyone upset? Here we see many of the same issues that have caused problems before, including favoritism and sibling rivalry. And it’s compounded by Joseph’s…attitude? Lack of awareness? Pride? His dreams served as both a prediction and an impetus, since they bring his brothers antagonism to the boiling point. God, in His sovereignty, knew this would happen. In fact, he makes sure of it!
Genesis 37:15 (WEB) “A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, ‘What are you looking for?’ “
Thought for the day: God has a purpose and a plan, and He will make sure that it happens. And His plan is so much better than our plans!
Romans 8:28 (WEB) “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Devotional Reading for February 5, 2026
Even though Jacob is the son of the promise, Esau’s descendants still grow and prosper. Eventually they become Edom, and Edom is a thorn in Israel’s side for the duration of its existence. In fact, even after the nation itself is displaced, one of its descendants, Herod the Great, tries to kill Jesus as an infant (Matthew 2:16)!
Thought for the day: Isn’t it astonishing how hatred can be passed down from generation to generation? We need to realize that there is a difference between being angry and staying angry.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (WEB) ” ‘Be angry, and don’t sin.’ Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil.”
Devotional Reading for February 4, 2026
We see a spiritual highlight of Jacob’s life when he returns to Bethel. He has the entire household put away their idols to go meet with God, and God confirms His covenant with him. But it’s followed by a time of personal tragedy (you could even say it’s bookmarked by personal tragedy). How often do we find that’s the case in our own lives? Life is a fluctuation of highs and lows. What we need to do is to keep our eyes focused on El Shaddai (“God Almighty”). When we do, we can see the positive (“son of my right hand”) in the midst of the negative (“son of my sorrow”).
How important was the reaffirmation of the covenant with Jacob when Isaac was about to die? And, speaking of that, we’re a long way from Genesis 27:2 (WEB): “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death.” We know that Isaac was basically blind, but we don’t know what else was going on with his health. Was he overly concerned when he called Esau to him, or should we give him credit for making sure things were ready before he died? In our own culture, I think that it’s appropriate to be concerned! It’s good to make arrangements ahead of time, especially if you have a family.
Thought for the day: Are you keeping your eyes on God? In the midst of your tragedy, can you see God at work?
Romans 8:18 (WEB) “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed towards us.”
Devotional Reading for February 3, 2026
This issue with Dinah shows that Jacob’s sons have inherited their father’s knack for deception. While they were right to be upset about their sister being raped, they acted in a disproportionate manner, and Jacob understands that it will probably come back to haunt them. It doesn’t, but that’s because of God’s intervention (Genesis 35:5). We need to be careful that our righteous anger is truly righteous, and not just vindictive and destructive, or it will cause us no end of problems.
Thought for the day: What can we do to keep our anger in check?
James 1:19-21 (WEB) “So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Devotional Reading for February 2, 2026
We again see the middle eastern negotiation that we’ve seen before. “This is for you!” “But I don’t need it!” “It’s yours anyway!” The language is interesting too. Jacob literally says, “Please accept my blessing.” Does that refer back to the blessing he stole?!?! Esau seems genuine with his welcome. In fact, he runs to meet Jacob and embraces him. Could Jesus have been thinking of this when He told the parable of the prodigal son? This is the parable of the prodigal brother!
Thought for the day: Jacob is terrified of his brother because of the way he mistreated him. Perhaps we should live our lives in such a way that we don’t fear the retaliation of others!
Romans 12:18 (WEB) “If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.”
Sermon outline for 2/1/26 (Radio broadcast 2/8/26) — “Jeremiah’s Fifth Confession”
Jeremiah’s Fifth “Confession”
Jeremiah 20:7-18
I) Jeremiah’s _____________
A) He accuses God of ____________ to him!
B) Which is __________
C) But it’s a cry of ___________
1) The __________ is hard
2) And people __________ him
D) He’d like to _________, but he can’t!
E) He finally returns to God’s promises and ___________
F) Which results in ___________!
G) But he ___________ to God again
II) What does ______________ look like?
A) We are __________
B) We feel ______________
C) We may __________
D) We can experience a loss of ____________
E) We feel ___________ inside
F) We can feel ______________
III) How can we ________ with depression?
A) We need to ____________ it
B) We need to embrace getting ___________
C) We need to remember that it’s _____________
D) We need to remember that God ________ us
E) And we need to ________ Him
1) Through ___________
2) With ___________
Devotional Reading for February 1, 2026
“Four hundred men are with him.” No wonder Jacob is worried! He’s had an encounter with God’s angels that should have assured him that God was indeed with him. But what about his brother? He sends word, but his brother’s response concerns him. He splits up his property. He sends elaborate gifts. He talks to God. But, once again, it’s the “God of my father Abraham.” Perhaps it’s supposed to be respectful, but something does change from this point forward. He ends up wrestling with God all night. Figuratively or literally? With Jacob’s injury, it sure seems to be literal! His name is changed from “supplanter” to “he strives with God.” It seems that his faith has finally become real!
Here we see Jacob doing everything he can from an earthly perspective to soften up his brother Esau, and then we see him do what he can from a spiritual perspective. Was he wrong to not just trust God? Or should he be applauded for doing what he could first, and then asking God to bless his efforts? Perhaps he should have wrestled with God first? Regardless, God does bless him! I think the lesson is that Jacob finally came to the end of himself and realized that none of it was going to work without God’s blessing.
Thought for the day: Is there anything in your life that you need to “wrestle” with God about? Perhaps something you’ve tried to deal with on your own and it isn’t going well?
Philippians 4:6-7 (WEB) “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
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