Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“They hate the one who reproves in the gate,
and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, March 30, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Truth isn’t popular. The prophet Amos points out in no uncertain terms that those folks who “trample on the poor”, “afflict the righteous” and “push aside the needy” don’t like to be told the truth about their actions. Sometimes I honestly wonder how so many writings of the prophets even survived through the years, considering how much God’s people couldn’t stand them. No one likes to be called out on their bad behavior, and in general, when people are called out, they are exceedingly hostile toward the person who did so, rather than having any willingness to concede that that person is correct. And they know that person is correct about their bad behavior or they wouldn’t be so mad about it.
But accepting the truth about our misdeeds means having to change, doesn’t it? Change is scary and difficult. So much so that it’s easier to cover up our bad behavior so we don’t have to think about it.
God, via Amos, calls us to a higher standard.
Are there times I prefer not to look at the truth about things I’ve done?
![Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10 [4:1-11], Jonah and God’s Mercy](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56b39b61ab48de92d991a40a/6bbb490e-4992-4659-a8be-02d8397d68af/24-11-10.jpg)
