Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, May 6, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
This passage makes me think of Ecclesiastes. “The Teacher,” who wrote that book of the Hebrew Bible, frequently laments that good things and bad things happen to everyone regardless of how good or bad they actually are, and wonders where the justice is in that. I think Paul, here, makes the point that now that Jesus has come, truth has finally arrived in the world and everyone needs to turn away from their other forms of worship practice to follow Jesus. I’m not 100% convinced that’s the message of the gospel, if I’m honest. Yes, Jesus’ transformative love turned all of creation on its head, but I think that still includes showering good things—rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and food and joy—even on those who don’t follow him. Let’s face it. None of us are perfect. None of us can earn God’s favor. God just gives it to us because God loves us. And God loves everyone, so no one is excluded. And honestly? I think that’s utterly beautiful.
What things fill my heart with joy?
