Listen To Encouragement To Obey God's Voice
Tuesday, December 10
2 Kings 5:13-16 (NIV)
“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” The prophet answered, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.”
Devoción
The temptation for military men, and other people in positions of high authority, is to neglect the voices of servants and people under them. God opposes this kind of pride, but He gives grace to the humble. We need to give due consideration to all the stakeholders when they speak into our lives, without being dismissive due to their lower station or stature in our eyes.
Sure, after testing and consideration, it may turn out that some voices are suggesting foolish or sinful things. But when those of lower stations are actually in agreement with God's voice, we need to appreciate their role in pointing us back to obedience, and we need to obey the Lord as they are encouraging us.
The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. The words of Naaman's servants had the ring of spiritual truth, because God had given them wisdom and diplomacy as well as truth. They had faith that Naaman didn't yet have, but their words and encouragement built Naaman's faith to the point where he could obey.
Oración de hoy
Querido Padre Celestial,
I confess that I lack discernment and faith when You are speaking into my life through others. I thank You that in the past, in times of doubt, You have so often made the voices in my life unanimous and built my faith through them. I confess that I have also failed to be a trusted voice in the life of others. Give me the gifts of discernment, wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy. Help none of my words fall to the ground, so at the right time, I can be a blessing to those I serve through rock solid advice, just as Namaan's servants were to Naaman. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Aplíquelo hoy mismo
A key concept from today’s passage is that, when we have sought God’s guidance, it may come from a variety of sources and we should consider those inputs prayerfully and in comparison to Scripture. There are several examples in Scripture where people said they wanted God’s word, and then despised it when it was not what they expected, and they suffered for it. Thank You, Jesus, that this history was written down for us as a positive example to follow!
Recursos:
- Listen to this short clip, "You Need Wisdom and Discernment”, and grow closer to God as you seek His guidance in gaining power for a strong, firm stand.
- Be encouraged as you read and pray James 1:5-6, and learn to seek God’s wisdom in every area of your life.