Today’s scripture: Isaiah 36:1-10 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Terri Brown):
In Isaiah 36:1-10, the phrase “empty words” stands out to me. How many times have we heard those words applied to us and others when speaking to someone with veracity and openness? In no way was our intention to harm or to cause deceit to fall on the ears of the listener in a way that we did not want anyone to ignore or discount our words.
In this case, a party sent by the King of Assyria is telling followers of Hezekiah that they do not believe this army is capable of defeating the Assyrians. After all, the Assyrians do not believe this Lord will help them because they don’t think this Lord exists or has been with them in past encounters when the people have fallen to other armies.
The party sent delivers the message in Aramaic instead of Hebrew so that all could understand. But they continued to speak in the other language and accuse them of using “empty words” due to the absence of the Lord. A plea is offered in order to save face.
Empty Words. How many times have we felt alone in our own truth? As a person of color and who does not identify in the most common category of heterosexual or opposite gender loving identity; I find myself speaking a different language than those around me. They may not recognize the words or believe I am speaking in a foreign tongue but I continue to say or even sing about who I am and how my Lord is by my side even when I cannot see God or feel God’s presence. I may shout out the words to encourage myself and others and to be able to hear myself above the denial; above discrimination and naysayers.
I often feel like the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man discover the Wizard is just another ordinary man behind the curtain who pretends to be great and powerful. He proves to all of them (and himself) that we each have something within that will help each of us search and find what is missing. And then we learn that the emptiness can come from what is thrusted upon us by others and we just accept that as truth.
I have learned to live by this motto instead: With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). It has become like a mantra I must repeat but it helps me to realize I am in the presence of the Lord and my words can be heard, not drowned in the chaos. And if those words appear to fall on deaf ears, I know that it is not in vain. Someone may hear the words as the “sound” of a word. But later, it can penetrate in deeper ways that I will never know. Our words and truth can impact others in ways that will will benefit another; somewhere down the road it makes a difference. They are not empty.
Thought for the day: Today, spend some time in your reality. Repeat whatever you need to in order to see God and be a witness to your own words, to your truth and peace of mind. Say it, sing it, or shout it out. We do not need to hide behind a curtain or in a closet or someone else’s empty words.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.