Tuesday, June 10, 2008

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: 2 Kings 5:1-16

PSALM OF THE WEEK: Psalm 34

HYMN OF THE DAY: CH#371 “Wade in the Water” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKjkUPzui7A&feature=related

VERSE OF THE DAY: But his servants said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:13

 

The story of Naaman is an interesting study in human character.  From the King of Israel who didn’t believe it could be done (see verse 7), to Elisha’s greedy servant (see verses 19b-27), to Naaman himself, who thought Elisha’s command was too simple (see verses 11-12).  The problem was that he had a preconceived idea of the ceremony the prophet would use to do this “magic” (verse 11), but God wasn’t interested in ceremony.  God was interested in obedience.  We, too, can get too attached to our preconceived ideas of the ceremonies of God and forget that what the Lord really wants is our obedience to God.  It wasn’t the baptism in the Jordan that cured Naaman, it was his obedience in doing that.  The same way with us; it isn’t our baptism that saves us, it is the act of obedience to the Lord (which, of course, includes being baptized). Often, just like Naaman, we think God wants something hard and impressive when, in reality, God calls us to do simple things: love, serve, worship, and live for our Lord.

 

PRAYER: O Lord and Master, may I be obedient to you in all that I do.  Help me to live a life that is always in harmony with your instructions to me. Amen.

 

See you in Church Sunday,

Pastor Sandy

 

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