Isaiah 39:1-8, Envoys from Babylon Welcomed

Saturday, November 24, 2018
12:00 PM 1:00 PM 12:00 13:00

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Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

““There will be peace and security in my days.””

— Isaiah 39:8

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NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, November 14, 2018

by Rev. Stefanie Fauth, Clergy Stuff

Have you ever been accused of being negative?

There is something to be said for finding the good and being positive - but denying reality doesn’t really help people.

When did being comfortable become more important than dealing with what is before us? If we look at this Bible verse, we can see there is a very long tradition of humans trying to avoid harshness when they are faced with a harsh truth.

Is avoiding negativity really helpful? Your answer probably depends on where you grew up. Many cultures view directness as “too harsh” or “rude.” Other cultures view avoiding the truth as lying.

Where do you fall in this debate? Are you negative if you name the truth?

Narrative Lectionary Daily Reading:

Isaiah 39:1-8

At that time King Merodach-baladan son of Baladan of Babylon sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. Hezekiah welcomed them; he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” Hezekiah answered, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your ancestors have stored up until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the Lord. Some of your own sons who are born to you shall be taken away; they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”