Standing tall

Looking at bad old Pashhur in Jeremiah 20, I realize again I have to throw out that fine and friendly doctrine I so wanted to have, about how nothing ugly will ever happen to people who love and serve Jesus.

That is truly unfortunat, because it was such a comfortable doctrine!

A succinct version of verses 1-2 says:

“Pashhur the priest…heard Jeremiah prophesying these things.

And he beat Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks.”

But I can hold on to the doctrine of, no matter what happens, be faithful to speak God’s truth:

Jeremiah said to him,

“The LORD does not call your name Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side.

Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends.

They shall fall by the sword of their enemies while you look on…

And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house, shall go into captivity.

To Babylon you shall go, and there you shall die, and there you shall be buried,

you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.”

When the going gets tough, I want to stand tall.