SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
READ: 2 Kings 5 (Focus 1-3 & 9-14)
MEMORY VERSE
“He went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him.” 2 Kings 5:14
BACKGROUND
Jocelyn’s bestselling dish at her food stall was her congee. She’d stir the rice porridge very carefully until it had a smooth consistency. So, she was startled when a regular customer said, “Your congee tastes different. The texture isn’t as fine.”
Jocelyn’s new assistant had prepared it this time and explained why it was different: “I didn’t stir it as long as the recipe said since that’s how I do it at home. I also added more sesame oil. In my opinion, it tastes better that way.”
She had decided to ignore the recipe and do it her way instead.
This is how I sometimes respond to God’s instructions. Instead of fully obeying His commands as given in Scripture, I subject them to my opinions and proceed my way.
Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, was on the verge of making a similar mistake. On receiving God’s instruction through the prophet Elisha to wash himself in the Jordan so his leprosy would be healed, the proud soldier got angry.
He had his own expectations for how his need ought to be addressed, believing his opinion was superior to God’s command (2 Kings 5:11-12). His servants, however, convinced him to listen to Elisha’s words (v. 13). As a result, Naaman was healed.
When we do things God’s way, we experience a peace that’s indescribable. Let’s work with Him in fulfilling His purposes.
By: Karen Huang
INSIGHT
What we see of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 is a reminder of our human propensity for “self-salvation strategies”—self-styled plans to improve ourselves, our status with others, and even with God Himself.
While there’s nothing wrong with general self-improvement, we can only have a right relationship with God by accepting Christ’s sacrifice as the payment for our sin. We can’t allow pride, self-righteousness, and worldly wisdom to get in the way.
Acts 16:30-31 says, “‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’ ”
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How do you allow your opinions to compromise your obedience to God? How does this affect His work in your life?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…sometimes (we) respond to God’s instructions half-heartedly Instead of fully obeying His commands as given in Scripture, (we) subject them to (our) opinions and proceed our way…When we do things God’s way, we experience a peace that’s indescribable. Let’s work with Him in fulfilling His purposes.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” Isaiah 55:8-11
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to obey You in full, for Your command far surpasses my opinion.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD”
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
Trust and obey…
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
For the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey…
Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ACTS 25
