- Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. 2 Kings 5:17 – A truly wonderful, life-changing miracle took place in the life of Naaman. While a mighty warrior, he was inflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy. Yet after a visit to Elisha and following the commands Elisha gave him, Naaman was cured. Overjoyed at his healing and now a follower of the one true God, Naaman asked a request that seems a little odd to us. He asked Elisha for two mule loads of dirt to take home with him. Why? Likely because in their day much of their beliefs around gods were they were isolated to certain geographical locations. Meaning there was the god of Moab or the god of Caanan, and these gods were only found in these lands. So when Naaman found healing from the God of Israel, he wanted to take back some “Israel” with him so the God of Israel would come back with him as well. We can’t blame him for this simple way of thinking for he had never been taught spiritually different, this was the thinkings of a new believer. Let us though today be overjoyed that the Lord isn’t some god that is only over a certain small area of land, but is over all the universe and everything within it. We don’t have to carry dirt around so our God is near us, He is everywhere at all times. So when you are in your office chair, or kitchen at home, or in the car driving to the hospital, God is always there with you. Praise the Lord we serve a God who is with us always and never leaves our side. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3071
- Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Kings 5:1 – He didn’t let his drawback hold him back. We see Naaman carrying amazing titles such as commander and great and mighty man of valor. At the same time he carries the label “leper” as well. Many when carrying a label like that could use that as their excuse to not press forward, that though wasn’t Naaman’s story. I hope that’s not your story either. Each of us carry labels that we could use as our excuse to not press forward with the mission. Too young, too old, not experienced enough, not good enough, not knowledgeable of scripture. The list of labels could go on, but the point has been made. Will you let the “drawback” you say you have in your life hold you back from what God has lead you to do? Let God define you and your capabilities, not the labels you or others have placed on you. He says through Him you’re more than able. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1028
- But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:13 – Something I’m seeing repeated in 1 and 2 Kings are individuals like Naaman’s servants. People who caused another person in the story to stop, think more clearly about the choices they were making, and stir them to make a step more in line with what the Lord was telling them to do. Naaman had just been offered his means of removing his leprosy, but the means didn’t make sense to him so he was going to just walk on. Thankfully his servants spoke up like they did otherwise he very well could have died a leper. Cherish the people in your life who make you think again about your choices. Yes, often in the moment they can seem like the most frustrating, difficult people ever, but they are the ones in our story we’re the most grateful for later on. If there is someone in your story who has in your past provoked you to rethink a choice and the end result was you now walking closer to Jesus, thank that person today. Like Naaman, you could have been walking in your “leprosy” until you died if it wasn’t for their willingness to speak up. Thank you Jesus for the people in our story who aren’t afraid to say what needs to be said. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2211
Daily DEVO 