Daily Devotion (English) – 19.07.2021 (Bible Characters Special)

Naaman 

“…he who heeds counsel is wise.” – Proverbs 12:15

In our day today life, if a suggestion is given by someone who is younger or with less experience, we do not pay heed to it and try to follow the suggestion. Some of us are reluctant to do it. But God’s plan for us is to join and work together with the people who we meet each day. So, it is essential to pay heed to their counsel and accept their help. Otherwise, we may lose the blessings of God reserved for us through those persons. Sometimes ordinary people can be of great help to us. The world may think that it is below our dignity to get counsel or help from the lower-level people. But we are not of this world. We have overcome the world. 

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria. A young slave girl from Israel served Naaman’s wife. Although Naaman was a mighty man of valour, he was a leper. The little girl suggested that her master would be healed of his leprosy if he went to Samaria and met the prophet. On hearing the information given by the little girl, Naaman set off receiving a letter from the king. But Elisha, the man of God sent a messenger who informed Naaman to go and wash in the Jordan seven times so as to get his flesh restored and cleaned. Naaman became furious and went away in rage. In fact, Naaman was a commander who found favour in the king’s eyes and above all he had come all the way from a far-off place. But he could not meet the concerned person. Only a messenger was sent to him. Now let us bring this scene to our mind’s eye. Naaman expected Elisha to come out and meet him personally, touch, pray and heal him considering his status and power. To his disappointment only a messenger came and he was given a simple task of taking a dip in the Jordan river seven times. He was infuriated by the way he was treated and thought of returning home. But his servants gathered up their courage and spoke to him gently saying, “If the prophet had told you to do something great, would not have done it?” On hearing their words, he changed his mind and went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan according to the words of the prophet. His flesh was restored and he was made clean.

Beloved brothers and sisters, God has given us so many people in our family, in our street, in our church and in the circle of our friends. Do we lend our ear to their counsel and suggestion? Are we like Naaman who desired to meet Elisha directly and personally? Do we expect God to speak to us directly? Are we disregarding the advice of others? Naaman received the miracle because he listened to the words of the little girl and his servants and obeyed and did it. He stands as a witness. We have been receiving God’s counsel through many sources and different people. Miracles can be seen if we hear and obey. 

- L. Alagarsamy

Prayer Request:

Pray to God to get the needs of the missionaries met during these lockdown days.

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