Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and the scribe Shimshai and their associates, they hurried to the Jews in Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. At that time the work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped and was discontinued until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, December 20, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
The drama continues. Failing to stall the rebuilding of the temple through subterfuge and then outright intimidation, those in opposition went straight to the king and got a “cease and desist” letter. And the Jews had to obey, leaving the temple a partially-built hulk, and probably a reminder that they didn’t really have any power, despite being allowed to return to their homeland. I can only imaging how discouraging that must have been.
How many of us run into similar road blocks in our lives? An injury forces us to give up a favorite, life-giving activity. A job loss sends us into deep financial insecurity for an extended period. A medical condition takes over our lives completely. Life can throw any number of curveballs at us, and leave us in frustration or even despair. Like the Jews, we are ultimately powerless over most everything.
God doesn’t abandon us in these circumstances, just as God continued to hold and sustain God’s people despite their discouragement. When we lean into God’s loving arms, we are more able to reach a level of acceptance of what is, and hope for the gifts God will continue to give us one way or another.
How does God help me get through periods of uncertainty or discouragement?
