Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“For they are a rebellious people, faithless children, children who will not hear the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, ‘Do not see’; and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, November 26, 2021
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Tell us what we want to hear. That’s what the rebellious Israelites are saying to their seers and prophets. They don’t want to know God’s word of truth and justice, and how they need to change to do God’s will. They want to hear about how they’re God’s chosen and can do no wrong.
We’re no different than they were. The truth can be extremely painful to hear. When modern day prophets stand up and call out the extreme injustice in the U.S., the people with all the power and privilege get angry. Denial is a powerful thing and it’s a lot easier than working to change.
God isn’t pleased with this behavior, according to Isaiah. Not then, and not now.
Am I able to listen when others say things I don’t want to hear?
![1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24], God’s Care for the Widow](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56b39b61ab48de92d991a40a/bf37035e-33d5-439f-a0d6-a68b02d0f1bc/24-11-03.jpg)
