Jeremiah 20:7 — Wrestling with God's Call

Jeremiah 20:7

"You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me."
— Jeremiah 20:7 (NIV)

Reflection

Jeremiah accuses God of tricking him. He feels cornered, overpowered, and humiliated for doing the very work God gave him. Few verses in Scripture are as blunt as this one. Jeremiah voices irritation, even betrayal. His honesty may shock religious sensibilities, but it reflects the cost of obedience when it brings mockery instead of applause.

This verse shows that irritation with God does not make you faithless. Jeremiah still speaks to God; he does not turn away. That in itself is faith — battered faith, but real. He holds God responsible because he knows God is in control. Silence would have meant despair. Complaint means he still expects God to answer.

When you feel as though following God only makes life harder, Jeremiah 20:7 assures you that you are not alone. Others have said the same before you. What matters is not polishing your emotions but bringing them straight to Him, unfiltered and raw.

Biblical Insight

Jeremiah's ministry spanned decades of rejection. His warnings of judgment earned him ridicule, imprisonment, and threats on his life. Chapter 20 captures one of his lowest points. In Hebrew, the word translated "deceived" can mean "persuaded" or "enticed." Jeremiah feels dragged into a calling he cannot escape. Yet the book as a whole shows that God's word burned so strongly in him that he could not stay silent (see verse 9). His struggle highlights both the weight of prophetic ministry and the depth of God's sovereignty.

In Application

• Do not censor yourself when irritation with God rises. Say it plainly to Him.
• Recognise that complaint is not the opposite of faith. It can be the way faith survives under pressure.
• Ask God for endurance to hold on, even when His calling feels heavier than you can bear.

Practical Journaling

Reflect on Jeremiah 20:7, then write with candour:

• Where have you felt let down by God, and how have you expressed it so far?
• What burdens in your life feel as if God has forced them on you?
• What would it look like to keep speaking to Him honestly rather than falling silent?

Take as much time as you need with this exercise, and if writing feels too difficult today, simply holding these questions in prayer is enough.