760_When faithfulness comes with a price (Jeremiah 19-20)
Jeremiah 20:7 O Lord, you have deceived me,
and I was deceived;
you are stronger than I,
and you have prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all the day;
everyone mocks me.
8 For whenever I speak, I cry out,
I shout, “Violence and destruction!”
For the word of the Lord has become for me
a reproach and derision all day long.
9 If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.
Imagine a king’s messenger sent to deliver a message to a city whose people will not welcome its message. Even before he sets out, he knows that the message will anger them. He knows they may reject him, insult him, or even punish him. Yet he carries the letter anyway. It is not because he enjoys confrontation, but because the message must be delivered.
Jeremiah did not prophesy because it was an easy or respectable or profitable way of life. God had entrusted him with a message to his people. Jeremiah faithfully delivered it even when the message was painful to hear and even more painful to proclaim. Jeremiah 19 and 20 show us something we sometimes forget: faithfulness to God often comes with a price.
Jeremiah 19 begins with Jeremiah taking a potter’s earthen flask, gathering some of the elders and priests, and going to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. There Jeremiah is to proclaim God’s judgment against Jerusalem. The verdict was that Judah had turned away from the Lord to worship other gods. They were committing the most horrific sins, including child sacrifice.
Hence in verse 15, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.”
God had not minced his words. He pointed out the danger of their ways, repeatedly, through many prophets. But the people refused to listen.
And now, Jeremiah was the one who stood before them to announce judgment.
Being trustworthy before God need not mean that others will appreciate our words or actions. Sometimes they would rather not hear the truth. Sometimes it means we are the only ones who refuse to participate in widespread wrongdoing. And so, there is a price.
In Jeremiah’s case, the proclamation of God’s message led to humiliation and punishment. Pashhur, the chief officer of the temple, ordered that he be beaten and put in the stocks. Jeremiah does not pretend this was easy. He pours out his heart before God.
“O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me.” These words come from a wounded, confused, and exhausted man. The important thing is that Jeremiah still takes his pain to God.
Many a time, when faithfulness becomes painful, we may be tempted to withdraw from God, become bitter, or carry our disappointment somewhere else. Conversely, we sometimes think that having faith means never admitting that we are hurting. But Jeremiah demonstrates the honesty and vulnerability of real faith. Like him, we can lament the difficulty of obedience, the danger of discouragement, and our perplexity when we do not understand what is happening to us.
The true nature of prophecy is revealed in Jeremiah’s words. He describes it, “If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”
On several occasions, Jeremiah had had enough of prophesying. He enjoyed suffering no more than we do. His faithfulness did not make him immune to exhaustion, loneliness, or despair.
The emotional and spiritual burden of being rejected for speaking God’s word to his people often seemed too great. The opposition was too painful.
But neither did his suffering make his calling meaningless. For God was calling, rebuking, and warning his erring people in his unbounded, passionate, compassionate love, and the prophet, moved by the Spirit of God, could not keep the message to himself.
This is the spirit of prophecy – the irresistible need to bear witness to the Lord. Though it may leave the prophet discouraged, that does not mean he is disobedient. Weariness in prophesying does not mean lack of faith. Faithfully conveying God’s burden can cause one to become weary under its weight.
Sometimes obedience means carrying something that is heavy because it matters deeply to God. God Himself did not delight in the judgment He was announcing. The Lord says in Ezekiel 18:23, “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” God’s warnings are not evidence of cruelty; they prove that sin is of grave importance in ultimate reality, and therefore show why God calls us to repentance.
A parent may spend years teaching a rebellious child. A Christian may repeatedly speak the truth in love when others don’t want to hear it. We may choose integrity when dishonesty would be easier and more profitable. The burden is real and exhausting.
But Scripture reminds us that God sees what others do not see. Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name.” Therefore, Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Jeremiah was not applauded for his obedience. He was imprisoned and abused. But he knew that he was not responsible for the response of the people. His responsibility was to remain faithful to the God who had called him to convey his truth.
When our faithfulness costs us popularity, comfort, opportunities, friendships, or even peace for a season, let us not assume it means God has abandoned us. Jeremiah reminds us that the faithful servant can be wounded and still trust. He can become weary but still faithfully speak God’s word through his tears.
So, if faithfulness costs us something today, let us not surrender our obedience because it has become difficult. Let us bring our pain honestly to God. For the Lord sees the burden and will recompense our faithfulness far beyond anything we could ever imagine.
The Lord warned, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). But the cost is worth it all, for Christ is infinitely precious, compared to anything we could lose. Being faithful for his beloved sake can never be a waste. God bless.
As you reflect on Jeremiah’s experience, consider these questions.
What area of faithfulness in your life has become difficult or costly, and what makes it difficult?
Why do you think Jeremiah chose to pour out his pain before God rather than simply walk away from his calling?
How can you remain faithful to God when your obedience is misunderstood, rejected, or brings personal cost?
What practical step might God be asking you to take today, even though taking it may be uncomfortable?
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the truths You have spoken through Your Word. Help me understand that faithfulness may sometimes come at a price, but never without purpose. When obedience becomes difficult, give me strength to remain faithful. When I am discouraged, teach me to bring my pain honestly to You rather than turning away from You. Give me courage to obey, wisdom to speak Your truth with love, and faith to trust You when I cannot see the outcome. Help me believe that You see every sacrifice and that no faithfulness offered to You is ever wasted. Give me grace not only to hear Your Word today, but to put it into practice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.