Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders
It is profoundly painful when obstacles stand in the way of our immediate happiness or success.
The account of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14) is instructive for all of us who seek divine intervention to combat suffering in our lives.
Sadly, we often have our own ideas of how we expect God to work. And, when things do not work out the way we think they should, we become bitter and disillusioned.
Yet, it would be wise for us to remember God’s words:
“My thoughts and my ways
are not like yours.
Just as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
are higher than yours.”
(Isaiah 55:8,9, CEV)
Meditating on those words should immediately lower the temperature of our egos.
Naaman was a brilliant military commander of the Syrian army who had earned the respect of the king and the people because of his mighty conquests. Yet, despite his prowess, Naaman was a leper.
Quick translation: Leprosy was a socially communicable disease and an inevitable death sentence.
A young girl whom Naaman had captured from Israel, and forced into slavery, tells the commander’s wife:
“If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, CEV).
Imagine, she had been taken forcefully from her country and yet she was willing to share words of wisdom, from her God, with her captor!
When Naaman, under the aegis of his king, goes off to seek his healing, he loads up with tons of gold and silver. But God doesn’t peddle miracles, and there’s no price tag on healing. God only craves a sincere and obedient heart.
Elisha, God’s prophet, does not come out to greet the mighty man of valor, but rather sends someone with this message:
“Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured” (2 Kings 5:10, CEV).
Imagine Naaman’s furor. The prophet does not formally acknowledge his presence, but rather sends him away with an oral prescription for a cure. Did he hear right…wash in the Jordan?? Weren’t there more sparkling rivers in Syria…if that was all it took, why did he have to come all the way here? Why should he obey?
Because these were words of wisdom from God’s prophet--- a man who had received a double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit before Elijah was caught up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9).
With his ego on full display, Naaman was ready to go home.
Retreat.
This mighty man of valor was losing a battle with his flesh (literally and figuratively). He was calling it quits. But then came more words of wisdom from an unlikely source.
His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured” (2 Kings 5:13, CEV).
Why don’t we do what God says? Naaman had an attitude adjustment.
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's (2 Kings 5:14 CEV).
Whose words of wisdom have we disregarded? Perhaps, God has placed provision for our healing, peace, and joy in a person or place that we normally would not consider. Let’s ask God to point out his words of wisdom that are resting in unlikely places.
PRAYER: Humble us, Lord. Let us kneel before your presence in love and gratitude for your constant care, and the words of wisdom that you give us through the Scriptures and the mouths of everyday people. Teach us that any vessel you use is valuable for our good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2025
by Dorette Saunders
It is profoundly painful when obstacles stand in the way of our immediate happiness or success.
The account of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14) is instructive for all of us who seek divine intervention to combat suffering in our lives.
Sadly, we often have our own ideas of how we expect God to work. And, when things do not work out the way we think they should, we become bitter and disillusioned.
Yet, it would be wise for us to remember God’s words:
“My thoughts and my ways
are not like yours.
Just as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
are higher than yours.”
(Isaiah 55:8,9, CEV)
Meditating on those words should immediately lower the temperature of our egos.
Naaman was a brilliant military commander of the Syrian army who had earned the respect of the king and the people because of his mighty conquests. Yet, despite his prowess, Naaman was a leper.
Quick translation: Leprosy was a socially communicable disease and an inevitable death sentence.
A young girl whom Naaman had captured from Israel, and forced into slavery, tells the commander’s wife:
“If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, CEV).
Imagine, she had been taken forcefully from her country and yet she was willing to share words of wisdom, from her God, with her captor!
When Naaman, under the aegis of his king, goes off to seek his healing, he loads up with tons of gold and silver. But God doesn’t peddle miracles, and there’s no price tag on healing. God only craves a sincere and obedient heart.
Elisha, God’s prophet, does not come out to greet the mighty man of valor, but rather sends someone with this message:
“Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured” (2 Kings 5:10, CEV).
Imagine Naaman’s furor. The prophet does not formally acknowledge his presence, but rather sends him away with an oral prescription for a cure. Did he hear right…wash in the Jordan?? Weren’t there more sparkling rivers in Syria…if that was all it took, why did he have to come all the way here? Why should he obey?
Because these were words of wisdom from God’s prophet--- a man who had received a double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit before Elijah was caught up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9).
With his ego on full display, Naaman was ready to go home.
Retreat.
This mighty man of valor was losing a battle with his flesh (literally and figuratively). He was calling it quits. But then came more words of wisdom from an unlikely source.
His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured” (2 Kings 5:13, CEV).
Why don’t we do what God says? Naaman had an attitude adjustment.
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's (2 Kings 5:14 CEV).
Whose words of wisdom have we disregarded? Perhaps, God has placed provision for our healing, peace, and joy in a person or place that we normally would not consider. Let’s ask God to point out his words of wisdom that are resting in unlikely places.
PRAYER: Humble us, Lord. Let us kneel before your presence in love and gratitude for your constant care, and the words of wisdom that you give us through the Scriptures and the mouths of everyday people. Teach us that any vessel you use is valuable for our good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2025
Wednesday’s Word
Words of Wisdom
July 2, 2025
It is profoundly painful when obstacles stand in the way of our immediate happiness or success.
The account of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14) is instructive for all of us who seek divine intervention to combat suffering in our lives.
Sadly, we often have our own ideas of how we expect God to work. And, when things do not work out the way we think they should, we become bitter and disillusioned.
Yet, it would be wise for us to remember God’s words:
“My thoughts and my ways
are not like yours.
Just as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
are higher than yours.”
(Isaiah 55:8,9, CEV)
Meditating on those words should immediately lower the temperature of our egos.
Naaman was a brilliant military commander of the Syrian army who had earned the respect of the king and the people because of his mighty conquests. Yet, despite his prowess, Naaman was a leper.
Quick translation: Leprosy was a socially communicable disease and an inevitable death sentence.
A young girl whom Naaman had captured from Israel, and forced into slavery, tells the commander’s wife:
“If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, CEV).
Imagine, she had been taken forcefully from her country and yet she was willing to share words of wisdom, from her God, with her captor!
When Naaman, under the aegis of his king, goes off to seek his healing, he loads up with tons of gold and silver. But God doesn’t peddle miracles, and there’s no price tag on healing. God only craves a sincere and obedient heart.
Elisha, God’s prophet, does not come out to greet the mighty man of valor, but rather sends someone with this message:
“Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured” (2 Kings 5:10, CEV).
Imagine Naaman’s furor. The prophet does not formally acknowledge his presence, but rather sends him away with an oral prescription for a cure. Did he hear right…wash in the Jordan?? Weren’t there more sparkling rivers in Syria…if that was all it took, why did he have to come all the way here? Why should he obey?
Because these were words of wisdom from God’s prophet--- a man who had received a double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit before Elijah was caught up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9).
With his ego on full display, Naaman was ready to go home.
Retreat.
This mighty man of valor was losing a battle with his flesh (literally and figuratively). He was calling it quits. But then came more words of wisdom from an unlikely source.
His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured” (2 Kings 5:13, CEV).
Why don’t we do what God says? Naaman had an attitude adjustment.
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's (2 Kings 5:14 CEV).
Whose words of wisdom have we disregarded? Perhaps, God has placed provision for our healing, peace, and joy in a person or place that we normally would not consider. Let’s ask God to point out his words of wisdom that are resting in unlikely places.
PRAYER: Humble us, Lord. Let us kneel before your presence in love and gratitude for your constant care, and the words of wisdom that you give us through the Scriptures and the mouths of everyday people. Teach us that any vessel you use is valuable for our good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2025
Words of Wisdom
July 2, 2025
It is profoundly painful when obstacles stand in the way of our immediate happiness or success.
The account of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14) is instructive for all of us who seek divine intervention to combat suffering in our lives.
Sadly, we often have our own ideas of how we expect God to work. And, when things do not work out the way we think they should, we become bitter and disillusioned.
Yet, it would be wise for us to remember God’s words:
“My thoughts and my ways
are not like yours.
Just as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
are higher than yours.”
(Isaiah 55:8,9, CEV)
Meditating on those words should immediately lower the temperature of our egos.
Naaman was a brilliant military commander of the Syrian army who had earned the respect of the king and the people because of his mighty conquests. Yet, despite his prowess, Naaman was a leper.
Quick translation: Leprosy was a socially communicable disease and an inevitable death sentence.
A young girl whom Naaman had captured from Israel, and forced into slavery, tells the commander’s wife:
“If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3, CEV).
Imagine, she had been taken forcefully from her country and yet she was willing to share words of wisdom, from her God, with her captor!
When Naaman, under the aegis of his king, goes off to seek his healing, he loads up with tons of gold and silver. But God doesn’t peddle miracles, and there’s no price tag on healing. God only craves a sincere and obedient heart.
Elisha, God’s prophet, does not come out to greet the mighty man of valor, but rather sends someone with this message:
“Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured” (2 Kings 5:10, CEV).
Imagine Naaman’s furor. The prophet does not formally acknowledge his presence, but rather sends him away with an oral prescription for a cure. Did he hear right…wash in the Jordan?? Weren’t there more sparkling rivers in Syria…if that was all it took, why did he have to come all the way here? Why should he obey?
Because these were words of wisdom from God’s prophet--- a man who had received a double portion of the prophet Elijah’s spirit before Elijah was caught up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9).
With his ego on full display, Naaman was ready to go home.
Retreat.
This mighty man of valor was losing a battle with his flesh (literally and figuratively). He was calling it quits. But then came more words of wisdom from an unlikely source.
His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured” (2 Kings 5:13, CEV).
Why don’t we do what God says? Naaman had an attitude adjustment.
Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's (2 Kings 5:14 CEV).
Whose words of wisdom have we disregarded? Perhaps, God has placed provision for our healing, peace, and joy in a person or place that we normally would not consider. Let’s ask God to point out his words of wisdom that are resting in unlikely places.
PRAYER: Humble us, Lord. Let us kneel before your presence in love and gratitude for your constant care, and the words of wisdom that you give us through the Scriptures and the mouths of everyday people. Teach us that any vessel you use is valuable for our good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
©M©dytations 2025
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