DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MARCH 11, 2026
READ: Jeremiah 3 (Focus vs. 11-17)
MEMORY VERSE
“No longer will [the Israelites] follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.” Jeremiah 3:17
BACKGROUND
The Wild One is a 1953 movie starring Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler, a troubled, brooding leader of a motorcycle gang. In one scene, a young woman notices a gang member’s jacket with the initials, B.R.M.C.
When she learns that the R stands for “rebels,” she laughs and touches the arm of Brando as he idly pats a drum. “Hey, Johnny. What are you rebelling against?” He replies, “What do you got?”
What an apt description of our problem! We’re born with a drive to assert ourselves. We want to be in charge, preferably by getting our way. If that doesn’t work, we’ll assert ourselves by dragging our feet. The rebellion is the point.
Why did Israel foolishly worship idols of “stone and wood” (Jeremiah 3:9)? And why did Israel’s “unfaithful sister Judah” only pretend to return to God (v. 10)? Because that’s how they expressed their independence—“the stubbornness of their evil hearts” (v. 17).
The rebellion was the point. But God’s love is stronger.
Jesus died for rebels and leaves the door open for their return. “‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful . . . . Only acknowledge your guilt—you have rebelled against the Lord your God’ ” (vv. 12-13).
We may be born rebels, but we can return. Let’s run home to our Father, where we find His forgiveness, love, and help.
Mike Wittmer
INSIGHT
Jeremiah was a prophet to Judah, the Southern Kingdom, and its capital city of Jerusalem during the reign of its last five kings (Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah).
Because of its idolatry and wickedness, the Northern Kingdom, Israel, had fallen to Assyria in 722 bc. During Jeremiah’s time, Judah was following in Israel’s footsteps, despite the reign of a few good kings like Josiah.
The people had turned away from God and were worshiping idols. Through Jeremiah, God warned them that their wickedness would lead to discipline, yet He urged them repeatedly to repent and return to Him (Jeremiah 2:19; 3:14).
In 586 bc, Judah fell to Babylon. Yet God restored a remnant to the land and promised a Savior, Jesus (23:5-6). Today, God still offers forgiveness and love to all who repent and turn to Him.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
When do you take charge in foolish or bad ways? How have you been ignoring God, and how might you return to Him?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God’s LOVE is stronger than REBELLION…(He) still offers forgiveness and love to all who repent and turn to Him.”
PR’s TAKE
“…The one who comes to me I will by no means cast out” John 6:37
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. I’m coming home to You.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“THE HEART OF WORSHIP” Michael Smith
When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
A King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
I’m coming back
I’m coming back
