Listen

Naaman’s servants came up to him and spoke to him: “Our father, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? All he said to you was, ‘Wash and become clean.’” So Naaman went down and bathed in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said. His skin was restored like that of a young boy, and he became clean.

He returned to the man of God with all his attendants. He came and stood before Elisha, saying, “Now I know for certain that there’s no God anywhere on earth except in Israel.”

2 Kings 5:13-15a

Think

Naaman was angered in yesterday’s story. Today Naaman is all but dancing for joy. Talk about a 180! Sometimes life is that quick. One minute we are red in the face ready to hit something and the next we are speechless, humbled by an outpouring of kindness and compassion. Sometimes we have nothing to do with it, and other times, we can thank our sense of responsibility, obedience, and the positive influence of friends. Naaman reluctantly took the prophet’s advice to dip in the river, but not because he wanted to. Naaman obeyed because of the encouragement of his servants. They helped him to see beyond his anger. They helped him to get well.

I pray you have friends who help you see beyond your sights to something better. I pray you have family and friends who help you to get well. We aren’t meant to do life alone. We’re meant to do life together. So together, may we all get a little better.

Aram Bae

Pray

Holy One, thank you for friends who help, encouraging me to get better when I know I need it.

Help me to be that kind of friend, one who motivates towards good, one who hopes for what can be.

And together, may we reflect what it means to be a community who helps, believes, and is faithful.

In Jesus’ merciful name, amen.

Go

May God the Creator bless you and keep you safe today.

May Jesus the Christ smile upon you and be gracious towards you.

May the Spirit of Mercy lead you along the path of truth and wisdom.

And all of God’s people say —

Amen.