Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The vine withers,
the fig tree droops.
Pomegranate, palm, and apple—
all the trees of the field are dried up;
surely, joy withers away
among the people.”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, December 8, 2020
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
The vine always withers.
The crops, at some time, will always fail.
The day will one day be done; night shall come.
Valentine’s Day flowers will droop.
Food shall rot.
And all people for whom we care will fade into nothingness.
Kinda depressing, isn’t it? No doubt. The gift of scripture sees both sides—the depressing one (like today), but also the hopeful one (as we have in Jesus).
It’s okay to be in a place of depression. Clinical depression is very real. I for one can attest to its persistent grip and hopeless feelings strangling any hope the future might bring. There is a place for western medicine to help those dealing with depression. I firmly believe that God can work through modern science.
Also, though, too, is the acknowledgement that one day, God will bring relief—that there are others struggling too, and that, together, we might see the reality that God will bring goodness again.
Empower me to reach out for help when I need it, O Mighty One. Amen.
