Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“This is the interpretation, O king, and it is a decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the wild animals. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, you shall be bathed with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals, and gives it to whom he will. As it was commanded to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be re-established for you from the time that you learn that Heaven is sovereign. Therefore, O king, may my counsel be acceptable to you: atone for your sins with righteousness, and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, August 13, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Ouch. Well, I’m pretty sure that Nebuchadnezzar knew what he was in for when he went to Daniel for help interpreting his dream: complete honesty, no matter how hard that truth was going to be to swallow. And boy is it a hard truth.
One of my “go-to people” (see yesterday’s devotion) in particular does not shy away from such truths. In fact, sometimes when I’m dealing with something challenging and I know in my heart of hearts what the difficult answer is, I hesitate to call her, because I know—I know!—she is going to be honest with me. I still do call her, though, because I also know that I need to hear it, whether I like it or not. Just the other day, in fact, I was complaining to her about some chronic pain in my lower back (degenerative discs) and hip (as a result) and said, “I’d just like to have this gone so I can get on with the rest of my life.” And she replied—with love—, “This is the rest of our lives.” Yep. Chronic pain is just a thing. I’m 52. I’m doing physical therapy and taking appropriate actions, but I have arthritis in my thumbs and these back issues, and also neck issues and pain is just an inevitable part of aging. Of life! And honestly, compared to many people, I do not have it that bad. I would do well to stop indulging my self-pity and, well, just get on with the rest of my life. It wasn’t easy to hear. But it was loving truth. Just as Daniel’s warning to Nebuchadnezzar came with advice: “Maybe you oughtta make amends for being such a tool, dude,” my friend’s hard truth came with the suggestion: “Maybe you oughtta accept that life is painful and clear up all that mental real estate for what really matters.” And I am working on it!
Who do I know who will give me the hard truths I need to hear in a loving a safe way?
