Daily Devotional For Saturday, August 8, 2026
Good morning Southside! Thank you for taking the time to read and meditate on our devotion for today. Our devotion for today comes from Jeremiah 8:18-19a:
“My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken. (19) Listen to the weeping of my people; it can be heard all across the land. “Has the LORD abandoned Jerusalem?” the people ask. “Is her King no longer there?” (NLT).
Jeremiah is facing pain from two fronts here. First, God has used him to bring the news about the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar due to their sin and rebellion. God was discipling His people after numerous warnings. Second, these are people he knows, loves and has to share in their suffering. Ever had a parent say to you when they are going to discipline you, “This is going to hurt me more than you”? A child thinks, “No way.” But a parent knows it does hurt. Because a loving parent knows they have to discipline their child but they hate they have to do it. The same child they have held who had fears and tears, is not the same child they are the means of that child’s fears and tears.
We see in this short passage a comparison between wrath and weeping. Jeremiah grieves with his own people. This had to take a toll on him personally, spiritually, emotionally and relationally to the people of Jerusalem. When you are the bearer of bad news and then that bad news happens, you are not going to be liked. Jeremiah’s very presence in Jerusalem was an unintentional reminder, “I told you so.”
Jeremiah says that watching all the death and destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, not even God Himself could make him happy watching this unfold. Jeremiah said, “My sorrow is beyond healing, My heart is faint within me!” (NASB). Jeremiah was not only saying he was emotionally sick from this, he was physically sick as well. Watching all of this took its toll on him and as being called “the weeping prophet” by scholars, he probably dived into some depression.
Reflection Assignment: Has your presence in some situation said to someone, “I told you so?” If so, how were you treated? Who is someone you love that maybe you have warned, his/her life was disastrous, and you had to watch this happen? How did you handle it? Has someone ever warned you, only to watch you ignore them and then pay a horrible price for it? How did they respond and how did you?
Scripture To Meditate On: Numbers 14:18, “The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, help me to trust and obey Your word, especially with all the warnings You have in Your word. I do not want to experience Your hand of discipline on my life. I pray that I will be a child that makes You smile. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly