Tag Archives: 2 Kings

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Better Than Before

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Our Daily Bread

2 Kings 5:1-15

[Naaman’s] flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child. —2 Kings 5:14

As infants, my children had nearly perfect skin. Their flesh was soft—they had no dry elbows or rough patches on their feet. Smooth and new, it contrasted with mine, which was marked by years of various scars and callouses.

As a mighty warrior and the commander of the Syrian army, Naaman may have had scuffed skin and battle scars, but he also had a serious skin disease—leprosy. When a servant suggested that the prophet Elisha could heal him, Naaman visited him. He followed Elisha’s instructions, and his diseased flesh became “like the flesh of a little child” (2 Kings 5:14). This cure left Naaman better off both physically and spiritually. After being healed, he proclaimed, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” (v.15). Through this miraculous experience, he learned that there is only one true God (1 Cor. 8:6).

Like Naaman, we can learn important lessons about God as a result of our life experiences. Receiving a blessing may show us about His mercy and goodness (Matt. 7:11). Surviving or enduring a trial may help us see God’s sufficiency and care. Growing in knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18) will always leave us better off spiritually than we were before. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Father, help me to learn more about You

as I travel through this world. Let this

knowledge inspire fresh praise in my heart

and a desire to become more like You.

Lessons about God are embedded in life experiences.

Bible in a year: Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5

Insight

Naaman’s journey of faith started with humility. It was only when he listened to his young slave girl (2 Kings 5:2-4), followed the instructions of Elisha’s servant and his own servants, and humbled himself by washing in the Jordan River that he received healing (vv.8-14).

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Take Time to Play

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Joyce meyer

Josiah was eight years old when he began his thirty-one-year reign in Jerusalem.—2 Kings 22:1

In today’s scripture we see that Josiah became king when he was only eight years old. A boy named Joash became king at age seven and a young man named Manasseh became king at age twelve (see 2 Kings 11:21; 2 Kings 21:1). These boys were forced to grow up quickly!

Many people feel they were forced to grow up too fast, just as the young kings were. Maybe you feel that way; I certainly did. When people have to grow up too quickly, they lose something precious and that loss often leads to tremendous emotional problems.

As adults we should be able to accomplish things in our lives without feeling burdened. We should be responsible and yet lighthearted enough to enjoy our everyday lives and even our work. In fact, I believe we should be able to enjoy every single thing we do. Some years ago this fact was brought to my attention because I realized I was at that time past forty years of age, married with four children, and yet I could not say I had ever really enjoyed much of my life.

Not being permitted to play will steal a person’s childhood and his enjoyment of adulthood. My problem was thinking I had to deserve every bit of fun, enjoyment or blessing that came my way. Now I have learned to work until quitting time and then leave whatever I am doing for the next day. If you and I don’t do that, we open ourselves up to burnout—and once we get burned out, it’s hard to recover.

The good things that come to us in this life are given to us by the Lord (see James 1:17). He wants to give them to us. He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest. If you lost part of your childhood because you had to grow up too quickly, pray and ask God to restore your joy, your childlike faith and your ability to celebrate life.

Love Yourself Today: Form a habit of taking time to do something lighthearted, something you really enjoy—just for the fun of it!