Listen

So Naaman left. He took along ten kikkars of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. He brought the letter to Israel’s king. It read, “Along with this letter I’m sending you my servant Naaman so you can cure him of his skin disease.”

When the king of Israel read the letter, he ripped his clothes. He said, “What? Am I God to hand out death and life? But this king writes me, asking me to cure someone of his skin disease! You must realize that he wants to start a fight with me.”

When Elisha the man of God heard that Israel’s king had ripped his clothes, he sent word to the king: “Why did you rip your clothes? Let the man come to me. Then he’ll know that there’s a prophet in Israel.”

Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots. He stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent out a messenger who said, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored and become clean.”

2 Kings 5:5b-10

Think

Am I God? We may not admit it, but there are times when we think we are. We want to take on the world and change it for the better. We want to do it all with our own strength and wisdom. When we realize we cannot do it on our own, we fail and get frustrated, and all hope seems to be lost.

While we may lose sight of hope, it is never lost. God working through us is what brings hope to the world. It is God who empowers us, guides us, and strengthens us to make a difference where we are. It is not by our own power.

I am not God, but God is the hope that I bring to the world — a God who loves us as we are and is with us always. That is hope.

James Blay

Pray

Creator God, remind me today to give you the praise you deserve for the work that you do through me. Show me where you are working, that I may join you with humility and a willingness to serve. Amen.

Go

With hope as your guide, guiding your thoughts, words, and deeds, go out into the world and bring hope to all whom you encounter.