Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“‘Therefore I am surely going to teach them, this time I am going to teach them my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, November 25, 2020
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
As fiercely as God’s grief burns within God’s soul, so does God’s passionate and forgiving love for God’s people. Amid God’s tirade against a rebellious Israel, God cries a promise – one day Israel will be restored. Again.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the US. This means the beginning of the family gatherings that will linger through Christmas and even New Year’s Day. None of my extended family lives near me, which means I will spend all of the holidays only with the family members I live with day in and day out. We have our rhythms and we know the dynamics of our relationships. For us, the holidays are wonderful opportunities to slow down, to eat (a lot!!), and to enjoy each other’s company.
But many, if not most of my friends dread the holidays for the very reason that they are obligated to spend time with family members that are difficult. Weddings, funerals, and holidays are odd times when extended family – who would probably never hang out if they were not related – get together to discuss politics, sports allegiances, and vacations afforded (or not) by disparate income levels. In other words, stress!!
Maybe it would be good to remember God’s fiery passion. Despite the differences and betrayals of God’s people, God continued to love with zeal. Maybe we could take a tiny note out of God’s book. Maybe we could take a step back from engaging emotionally with those who trigger our angst. Maybe we could see them through God’s eyes. Maybe we could love them fiercely, even if we don’t like them all that much. God forgave God’s people even before they repented, even before God restored them. Maybe we can forgive even before we find reason.
And maybe, just maybe, we could refrain from doing or saying anything for which we will need forgiveness.
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