Devotional

Choosing the True Voice

A short midweek reflection to carry into your week.

September 9, 2026 Pastor Scott Uselman 4 min read

Part of the message: The Danger of Popular Theology

A deeper look at discerning God's will when voices all around invite us to peace without truth.

Scripture

¹In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people: ²“This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. ³Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD’s house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon. ⁴I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,’ declares the LORD, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ ”

⁵Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD. ⁶He said, “Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the LORD’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. ⁷Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: ⁸From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. ⁹But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true.”

¹⁰Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, ¹¹and he said before all the people, “This is what the LORD says: ‘In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.’ ” At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.

¹²After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ¹³“Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the LORD says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. ¹⁴This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.’ ”

¹⁵Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. ¹⁶Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’ ”

¹⁷In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.

Which Voice Will You Trust?

Jeremiah 28 brings us into a crowded room full of religious words, some saying what is easy to hear, some saying what we fear to face. What would you have done, standing there as the yoke was broken? When popular voices offer comfort and promise that what you’re doing is already forgiven, it can feel like relief. But underneath, something might not sit right in your spirit. The question from this chapter echoes for us: When truth is costly and comforting words are easy to come by, which voice will we believe?

There is pressure all around us to settle for a version of faith that lets us decide for ourselves, assures us we are fine, and never asks us to change or to notice the ways we damage ourselves or others. When you hear a message that gives you a shortcut or a spiritual bypass, pause and ask, does this line up with what Jesus actually taught? If God’s word sometimes collides with popular opinion, we should expect that following Him will not always win applause, even from other Christians. But we are held, still, by grace. God’s invitation is not to shame but to come close, receive correction, and find the love that transforms, not just soothes.

Meditation Focus: When you hear a spiritually comforting voice, ask: Does this comfort come with truth? Take five minutes and listen, what is God’s Spirit nudging you toward?

Practical Step: Set a time this week to read one chapter from Deuteronomy and one chapter from a Gospel, asking God to show you what brings real peace, not just what feels good.

Closing Prayer

Holy God, you are the One who sees everything rightly. You hold the world in your hands, yet you care about the details of my life. I trust that your ways are better than my own and your words endure when others fall away. I ask that you draw me close to your heart and help me receive your word, not just what pleases me, but what is true and right. I know you give enough for every day: enough courage to hear, enough strength to obey, and enough mercy when I fail. Forgive me for the ways I have resisted or made excuses, or let my ears be tickled by what I wanted to hear. Forgive us as a church when we have followed comfort more than truth. Lead me away from any lie or rebellion, and keep me surrendered to your will. Help me trust that, in your discipline, there is love, and in your commands, there is life. Keep me from self-deceit, and let your transforming grace hold me steady. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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