ESOCS Devotional 23 July 2026 – When God Has Something To Say
MEMORY VERSE: “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord…” Jeremiah 7:1 NIV
TEXT: JEREMIAH 7:1-16
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the Lord!’ ” 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4 Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these.’
5 “For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, 6 if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, 7 then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.
8 “Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, 10 and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? 11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the Lord.
12 “But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. 13 And now, because you have done all these works,” says the Lord, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer, 14 therefore I will do to the house which is called by My name, in which you trust, and to this place which I gave to you and your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren—the whole posterity of Ephraim.
16 “Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.
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When God speaks, it’s never without purpose. In Jeremiah 7, the Lord sends a clear message through the prophet calling His people to repentance. The message wasn’t easy or pleasant, but it was necessary. God was addressing deep spiritual decay masked by religious routine. They were going to the temple but not living in obedience. Isaiah 1:13 echoes this when God says, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me.” When God speaks, He’s after transformation, not performance.
God still speaks today, through His Word, His Spirit, and His messengers. But are we listening? Sometimes we only want to hear what comforts us, not what corrects us. Yet, 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all Scripture is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” When God has something to say, it’s not just for information, it’s for our transformation. Ignoring His voice hardens our hearts and delays His work in our lives.
God doesn’t speak to condemn but to call us closer. Hebrews 12:25 warns us not to refuse Him who speaks from heaven. If God is speaking, it means He cares. The question is—will we respond?
Reflections
- Am I open to hearing what God has to say, even when it challenges me?
- What area of my life is God speaking into right now?
Action Step
Set aside time today to read Jeremiah 7:1–11 slowly. Ask God what He’s saying to you personally and write down your response.
Prayer
- Lord, when you speak, help me to listen with an open heart.
- Correct me where needed and lead me in your truth. I want to walk in obedience, not just routine. Amen.
Further Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-30; Acts 13:1-13; John 13:21-End
ESOCS Devotional 22 July 2026
