Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, ‘Is it you, you troubler of Israel?’ He answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, November 4, 2021
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Peace isn’t the absence of conflict. Peace is the outcome of justice. Ahab accused Elijah of disturbing the peace, troubling Israel by his proclamations against the way Ahab was ruling. Not so, says Elijah. It is in turning away from God, from justice, that Ahab has created trouble for Israel.
The many protests, marches, and other direct actions people are taking to fight for the rights of the oppressed and marginalized in the U.S. are not, as many claim, disturbing the peace. Because there is no real peace where there is not justice for the oppressed and marginalized. And those standing up and speaking out are as much prophet’s of God’s reign as Elijah was.
How am I called to be a prophetic voice for true peace in the world?