Tag: Jeremiah 8

My Own Hero

In today’s reading of Jeremiah 8:4-11:23, we see a powerful depiction of human stubbornness and self-deception. God observes that when people fall, they don’t get up again; when they turn away, they don’t turn back. Instead, they persist in their own way, often thinking they are justified in their actions. This is a vivid portrayal of how we often see ourselves as the hero of our own story, convinced of our righteousness and unwilling to admit our faults or seek the right path.

Why do we stay down when we fall? Why are we content to lie in the dirt rather than get up and seek God’s way? Part of the reason is pride; we don’t want to admit that we need help or that we were wrong. Another reason is self-deception; we convince ourselves that our way is just fine, even when it’s leading us further from God. We create narratives that paint us in a positive light, ignoring or downplaying the areas where we’ve gone astray.

But God sees through this self-deception. He calls out to us, not to condemn us but to invite us back to the right path. He knows that true heroism doesn’t come from stubbornly sticking to our own way but from humility, repentance, and the willingness to rise after we’ve fallen.

The question for us today is whether we will continue to be the hero of our own story or whether we will allow God to be the hero who lifts us up, dusts us off, and sets us back on the path of life.

What Do You Need?

In Daniel 2, Daniel is faced with an impossible task: interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream without even knowing what the dream was. This situation could have been overwhelming, but instead of panicking, Daniel turned to God. He knew that he didn’t have the ability to interpret the dream on his own, but he also knew that God could provide him with exactly what he needed. Through prayer and seeking God’s wisdom, Daniel was given the insight to interpret the dream accurately, demonstrating that God equips His people with what they need to accomplish His purposes.

Similarly, in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the golden image. They didn’t know if God would deliver them from the fire, but they knew that He had the power to do so. Their confidence wasn’t in their own abilities but in God’s sovereignty. They trusted that whatever they needed—whether it was deliverance or strength to face martyrdom—God would provide.

These stories remind us that when we face impossible situations or challenges that seem beyond our abilities, we should turn to God. He knows what we need and is faithful to provide it, whether it’s wisdom, strength, or courage. This truth encourages us to rely on God rather than on our own limited resources.