August 8th  

August 8th
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1–2; John 10


Scripture Focus

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” — Jeremiah 1:5
“The Lord replied, ‘Don’t say, “I’m too young,” for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, ‘Look, I have put my words in your mouth!’” — Jeremiah 1:7–9
“You will see what an evil and bitter thing it is to abandon the Lord your God and not to fear Him. I, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” — Jeremiah 2:19 (NLT)


Reflection
Jeremiah’s call (chapter 1) is deeply personal and incredibly challenging. He was young, felt unqualified, and was terrified of the message he had to deliver — yet God reminded him that his life had purpose, his words would carry divine authority, and his strength would come from the Lord Himself.


But by chapter 2, God’s tone shifts to heartbreak and rebuke.
His people, who once eagerly followed Him, had abandoned Him for worthless idols. They exchanged the fountain of living water for broken cisterns that could hold no water. It’s a sobering reminder of how deeply it grieves God when His people forsake Him.
The New Testament echoes this seriousness: “It is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven… and who then turn away from God.” — Hebrews 6:4–6. This was first directed at the Jews who rejected Christ, but it warns us of the danger of repeatedly hardening our hearts against God.

For those of us following the Lord wholeheartedly,
Jeremiah 2 becomes a personal guardrail — a warning of what we must never do to the One who gave everything for us. It also gives us discernment when people call themselves Christians yet live only for self and the world. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16).

What God Says to Jeremiah in Chapter 1
  1. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” (v.5)
    • God is saying: “Your life is not random. I made you with intention and purpose.”
    • Hebrew: yada – to know intimately. God is saying, “I set My love and purpose on you before you even existed.”
    • For us: “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ.” — Ephesians 1:4
  2. “I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations.” (v.5)
    • God is saying: “You are consecrated for My purposes — your life is meant to glorify Me and reach others.”
    • For us: “But you are a chosen people… that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness.” — 1 Peter 2:9
  3. “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young.’ You must go wherever I send you.” (v.7)
    • God is saying: “Don’t let your limitations stop you. I am sending you, and I will give you the words to speak.”
    • For us: “Go therefore and make disciples… I am with you always.” — Matthew 28:19–20
  4. “Don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and protect you.” (v.8)
    • God is saying: “Fear them not. My presence and protection are with you.”
    • For us: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” — Romans 8:31
  5. “I have put My words in your mouth.” (v.9)
    • God is saying: “You don’t speak on your own authority. My words will fill your mouth.”
    • For us: “For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” — Luke 12:12
  6. “Get up and prepare for action. Tell them everything I tell you.” (v.17)
    • God is saying: “This is a call to readiness and bold obedience. Don’t hold back.”
    • For us: “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” — Ephesians 6:10
  7. “I have made you strong like a fortified city… an iron pillar… a bronze wall.” (v.18)
    • God is saying: “I will make you resilient, unshakable, and able to endure.”
    • For us: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
  8. “They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you.” (v.19)
    • God is saying: “Opposition will come, but they will not overcome you. I will defend you.”
    • For us: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” — Romans 8:37


God’s Charges Against His People in Jeremiah 2
“Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: ‘I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago…’” — Jeremiah 2:2

But now:
  1. You found fault with Me (v.5).
  2. You followed worthless idols (v.5).
  3. You did not ask, “Where is the Lord?” (v.6, 8).
  4. You ignored Me — priests, leaders, and prophets all turned away (v.8).
  5. You turned against Me (v.8).
  6. You exchanged My glory for worthless idols (v.11).
  7. You abandoned Me, the fountain of living water (v.13).
  8. You dug your own cisterns — broken ones that cannot hold water (v.13).
  9. You became enslaved to foreign nations (v.18, 36).
  10. You forgot Me for days without number (v.32).


“You will see what an evil and bitter thing it is to abandon the Lord your God and not to fear Him. I, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” — Jeremiah 2:19 (NLT)


Lesson for Me
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same God who spoke to Jeremiah — who encouraged him, set him apart, and called him to serve — still calls us. He has chosen us, set us apart, and filled us with His Spirit to speak words of life. This passage also serves as a warning: never trade the living water for broken cisterns.
In Short, God Says:
  • “I made you on purpose for a purpose.”
  • “Don’t let fear or feelings of inadequacy hold you back — I am with you.”
  • “Speak My words, not your own — and I will make you strong.”
  • “The battle will be real, but I am your defender.”

Application Questions
  1. Which of God’s warnings in Jeremiah 2 speaks most strongly to me?
  2. Where do I need to stop digging “broken cisterns” and return to the fountain of living water?
  3. How can I courageously share God’s Word like Jeremiah, even when it’s uncomfortable?

Prayer
Lord, thank You for knowing me, choosing me, and setting me apart. Help me to overcome fear and feelings of inadequacy, trusting that You are with me. Keep me from the trap of chasing empty things, and draw me back to You — the only fountain of living water. In Jesus’ name, amen.


Wait on God
Sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him: “Where have I been digging empty wells instead of drinking from You?” Write down what He shows you. Really its whatever He tells you write it down.