Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, May 8, 2021
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I am in definite need of healing. Paul is quoting an Old Testament prophet in condemnation of those who seem unable to grasp the gospel of Jesus. But in their defense, and maybe mine, maybe they were just so tired. Tired of seeing injustice everywhere and wondering where God was. Jaded by a sense of hopelessness that things would ever change, and driven to disconnect from others in an effort of self-preservation. Doesn’t make it right. But it sure does sound human.
And despite the condemning words of the prophet, God offers such exquisitely beautiful hope in five short words: “and I would heal them.” Our exhaustion, jadedness, and disconnectedness is an illness. It doesn’t require just working harder at things. It requires healing. Divine healing. May I cling to God’s promise of healing action in my life and the lives of others.
Tender, loving God, I am moved to tears by hope in the promise of your healing. Restore me in heart, soul, and mind, that I might live into your call. Amen.
![1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24], God’s Care for the Widow](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56b39b61ab48de92d991a40a/bf37035e-33d5-439f-a0d6-a68b02d0f1bc/24-11-03.jpg)
