Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him: ‘I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can tell the king the interpretation.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, August 4, 2024
by Madison Johnston, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: God gifts each of us with sources of constancy—familiarity—in change.
This is a passage that’s heavy on history and light on mystery. It’s very matter-of-fact, and does a lot of contextualizing work for us as we get ready to read more of the Book of Daniel. Long story short, Daniel and his people are bound to see a ton of violence, transfers of power and political changes in their lifetimes.
What’s interesting is that, although Daniel and his people are destined to be in the persecuted group at worst (and the minority group at best) through most all of these changes Daniel finds favor with the king and even a place on the king’s court by telling him that. Daniel secures protection in the very epicenter of the things that are trying—and that will try—to destroy him. His earnestness, honesty and willingness to engage are keeping him okay.
Those are the traits that come from God—the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those are the things that will anchor Daniel in otherwise chaotic conditions. They will be a source of constancy for him through ups and downs. No matter where he is planted, he will be able to bloom as long as he is connecting with the divine.
What are your anchors? What are your sources of constancy? What are the unique things God has given you to be yourself and to do God’s work in the world?
