June 23
2 Kings 4:18-5:27; Acts 15:1-35; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 17:23
How desperate is our need for God? Today we view two people who recognize that they are unable to help themselves and need God to intervene in their lives.
The first is the Shunammite woman. Her son has died and she knows her only hope is God. She does not allow anything to keep her from Elijah, God's prophet. Similarly, Naaman travels to Israel to find healing. I do not doubt he has tried every local shaman, priest, prophet, or healer and, after all these failures, believed his healing was impossible. Yet, when he hears about the God of Israel, he is willing to travel to encounter this greater power. Initially though, he is unwilling to obey Elijah's order, because it did not look like the process he expected (remember our discussion yesterday). Finally, he is willing to acquiesce and finds healing. When he experiences this relief, he now understands the God of Israel is truly God and the only one worthy of worship. He realizes that he is desperate for God and vows to worship him alone for the rest of his life.
Both people understood their need for God and sought whatever means was necessary to encounter him. We may make excuses about meeting with God (though congrats on your faithfulness to the One Year Bible) and so often we do so because we do not recognize how desperately needy we are. We need to see our need for God like a deer longing for water (Psalm 42) and to fix our eyes on him alone (Psalm 141:8). As we see his surpassing greatness, beauty, and provision, we will learn to turn to him in every season of life.
God, my Father, I need you. I need you today as much as I have ever needed you. I need your power, your grace, your presence, and your love. Help me to remember I need you and to call out to you. Help me not to rely upon myself, but you. Amen.
Question of the day: What keeps you from seeing your continual neediness for God?
How desperate is our need for God? Today we view two people who recognize that they are unable to help themselves and need God to intervene in their lives.
The first is the Shunammite woman. Her son has died and she knows her only hope is God. She does not allow anything to keep her from Elijah, God's prophet. Similarly, Naaman travels to Israel to find healing. I do not doubt he has tried every local shaman, priest, prophet, or healer and, after all these failures, believed his healing was impossible. Yet, when he hears about the God of Israel, he is willing to travel to encounter this greater power. Initially though, he is unwilling to obey Elijah's order, because it did not look like the process he expected (remember our discussion yesterday). Finally, he is willing to acquiesce and finds healing. When he experiences this relief, he now understands the God of Israel is truly God and the only one worthy of worship. He realizes that he is desperate for God and vows to worship him alone for the rest of his life.
Both people understood their need for God and sought whatever means was necessary to encounter him. We may make excuses about meeting with God (though congrats on your faithfulness to the One Year Bible) and so often we do so because we do not recognize how desperately needy we are. We need to see our need for God like a deer longing for water (Psalm 42) and to fix our eyes on him alone (Psalm 141:8). As we see his surpassing greatness, beauty, and provision, we will learn to turn to him in every season of life.
God, my Father, I need you. I need you today as much as I have ever needed you. I need your power, your grace, your presence, and your love. Help me to remember I need you and to call out to you. Help me not to rely upon myself, but you. Amen.
Question of the day: What keeps you from seeing your continual neediness for God?
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