Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Alas! that day is so great
there is none like it;
it is a time of distress for Jacob;
yet he shall be rescued from it.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, July 3, 2025
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
We need hope. In the midst of Jeremiah’s harangue of the people, in his dark predictions of desolation, he makes it clear: this is not forever. No matter what happens. No matter how awful things get. God is right in the midst of it, and in the end, God will carry God’s people—all humanity and all of creation—to restoration and wholeness.
It is so hard to believe this right now. But this is faith, is it not? It doesn’t mean we sit back and wait. Jeremiah said the “time of distress” was inevitable, but at the same time, he still exhorted the people to take action. To change. To come back to the basics of being in a covenantal relationship with God, which meant caring for all people, including and especially those without power and resources. And so the call remains. In the midst of what seems to be chaos swirling around us, and so much hateful rhetoric and action, we are still called to work our little backsides off to do what we can to care for those most in need. This doesn’t imply that such action will “earn” us restoration and wholeness. God’s got us, come what may. But the degree of pain we have to go through—that our neighbors have to go through—can be mitigated in part by what we commit to doing now on their behalf. And perhaps, with God’s help, we can avoid complete disaster. But, if not, we must keep going, and keep trusting in God’s justice.
Where do I find hope in the midst of turmoil?
