The next day, when Pashhur released him from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, “The Lord’s name for you is not Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side.”
Jeremiah 20:3 NIV
When obedience hurts, it reveals the depth of our faith and the strength of our convictions. In Jeremiah 20:1–3, we see this truth unfold in the life of the prophet Jeremiah. After faithfully proclaiming God’s message of coming judgment against Judah, Jeremiah faced fierce resistance. Pashhur, the priest and chief officer in charge of the Lord’s temple, heard his prophecy and responded not with repentance, but with hostility. He had Jeremiah beaten and placed in the stocks by the Upper Gate of Benjamin, just outside the temple of the Lord.
It’s a sobering reminder that speaking the truth, even when it’s God’s truth, does not always lead to acceptance. Sometimes, obedience invites opposition. Yet what is most astonishing is what happened next. The very next day, upon his release, Jeremiah spoke again. Without hesitation, he delivered another word from the Lord, boldly declaring, “The Lord’s name for you is not Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side.”
This wasn’t a delayed act of courage. It was immediate. Jeremiah didn’t retreat. He didn’t fall silent. Despite physical pain and public humiliation, he stepped forward again, unwavering in his calling. His example speaks volumes. When obedience hurts, the temptation is to pull back—to protect oneself from further harm. But Jeremiah shows us that obedience to God is not conditional on comfort.
His resilience calls for us to pause and reflect. How would you respond in the face of such persecution? Would you, like Jeremiah, proclaim God’s truth again the very next day? Or would you remain silent to avoid further suffering? Jeremiah’s courage wasn’t rooted in pride or stubbornness. It flowed from a life immersed in the Word of God. When the word of the Lord dwells deeply within someone, it compels them to speak—even when the cost is great.
Today, the methods of persecution may differ, but the pressure remains real. Speaking God’s truth can invite mockery, isolation, and misunderstanding. And yet, the call to faithfulness stands. When obedience hurts, will we still stand firm? Jeremiah’s unwavering faith challenges us to embrace a deeper obedience—one that perseveres through discomfort, misunderstanding, and rejection.
God is not looking for half-hearted devotion. He seeks those whose commitment runs deep—those who will stand when it’s hard, speak when it’s risky, and trust when it hurts. This is the kind of obedience that honours God. This is the kind of faith that moves heaven.
Living It Out
If your obedience has brought you pain, rejection, or disappointment, take heart. God sees your faithfulness. Like Jeremiah, your trials are not in vain. Your obedience, even in suffering, bears witness to a faith that is alive and genuine.
Ask the Lord today for the courage to remain faithful. Pray for a heart that does not waver and a spirit that stands firm—even when obedience hurts. The world may not always applaud your stand for truth, but the Lord will never overlook your faithfulness.
Heaven honours those who obey, not just when it’s easy, but when it costs everything.