Today’s scripture: Isaiah 32:1-8 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Jeff Miner):
Today’s scripture predicts a future king who will “reign in righteousness” (vs. 1), and contrasts that king with “the villainies of villains” (vs. 7), i.e., people who live by selfish, corrupt values. For me, verse 8 is the highpoint of the passage, summarizing its critical teaching point:
“Those who are noble plan noble things, and by noble things they stand.”
What does that mean? Consider an example. Nicholas of Myra, the real-life person who gave rise to the legend of Saint Nicholas (i.e., Santa Clause), served as Bishop of Myra in the 4th century. One day when he was 70 years old, Nicholas received word that Eustathius, governor of the region, intended to execute three innocent men in order to collect on a bribe.
By the time Nicholas arrived at the execution site, the prisoners were on their knees, hands tied behind their backs, and faces covered with linen clothes. Forcing his way through the crowd, Nicholas yanked the sword from the hands of the executioner and threw it to the ground. He untied the prisoners and set them free, then set off to confront the governor.
When he arrived at the governor’s residence, Nicholas broke down the door. The governor tried to win Nicholas over with compliments. Nicholas interrupted him mid-sentence and accused the governor of being “a thief” and “enemy of God.” According to one account, Nicholas told the governor:
And you even dare to come before me, you who do not fear God! You who had the cruel intention to kill innocent people! Since you committed this kind of wickedness I cannot have any respect for you. God is reserving for the unjust a tortured life…[God] knows how your government works and how this province allows looting and killing against the law and without trial for deadly greed and gain. (Source: The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, Baylor University Press, 2012, pp. 131-135.)
The governor was so blown away by this indictment, he fell to his knees, admitted his guilt, begged forgiveness, and promised to reform. Nicholas then pardoned the governor and prayed for him.
People like Saint Nicholas remind us what it looks like to boldly stand for the highest values.
Thought for the day: Those who are noble plan noble things, and by noble things they stand. Don’t let life corrupt you.
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.