Devotional - February 11, 2026
Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls, but you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
As I sit and write this devotional, I feel sad. In the background, behind me, I hear the announcers of the Superbowl calling each play with sounds of excitement and applause all around. Just a few hours before, some of those same people were in church. They sat through the worship service with the enthusiasm of a snail pushing uphill. I suppose I shouldn’t have made the comment about the snails. Who knows, maybe pushing uphill is an exhilarating experience. I tend to doubt it, but until the snails tell us, I doubt it. In general, how do we think our treatment of Super Bowl verses church makes God feel (Ephesians 4:30)? I think God accepts the situation as it is and receives what is given, but for the most part, God is left outside knocking at the door (Revelation 3:20). The only other day that surpasses Superbowl Sunday is Christmas. How many people do you think acknowledge the gift God gave them while the celebrate heartily, on of all days, the day named after God ...Merry Christmas. In May of 2023 the US Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health epidemic, Super Bowls and Christmases notwithstanding. I wish those who suffer this way would hear the LORD today as he calls out to the people through Jeremiah. Super Bowls and celebrations may keep our attention for a while, but they will leave us feeling unfulfilled. At times, many of the people you study in the Bible had to walk alone or in a way that was considered counterculture. They may not have had other people, but God walked with them (Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 41:10, John 14: 25-27). God walks with us. God..., the very Creator and Sustainer of all that will ever be, is with us through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14). I do not think God is furious with us when we do the things I mentioned earlier. I think God is like a parent who is happy when they see their children happy, even if it is not with them. But, I think God also likes to hear a thank you every once and a while. I think God likes to spend some time with us, outside of church. The blessing of having God in our lives is something all who follow God earnestly want us to experience (Hebrews 4: 9-11). I hope and pray you already do.
Pray with me.., Holy God we are thankful that You love us and walk with us. We are thankful for Your Presence in our lives. Hear us as we pray for those who are near and dear to our hearts. We ask Your blessing upon them. We ask Your blessing upon our church, so we can be the blessing You call us to be. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
