An act of faith is all God wants. Naaman was a great yet dreaded Aramean general, a warrior, and a man who commanded thousands yet he needed to be healed from his leprosy. His simple servant girl knew the best for him: “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” Listening to good counsel, Naaman sought Elisha for help. Not even daring to go into the prophet’s house, he waited for a word from Elisha.

What he got was unexpected. “Go and wash in the Jordan river,” he was told, and after a short burst of indignation over this simple instruction, and after more counsel from his loyal servants, he did just that. God worked in an unexpected way to bring an extraordinary result- now isn’t that just God? God’s power was met by Naaman’s faith, and the healing began!

Today, God still performs miracles: He saves souls every day, changing lives and eternal destinations forever. It’s a simple gospel, one for all people. Do you have this gospel, have you received God’s Son, Jesus Christ? If you have not, you can change this today. If you have, then thank God for His miraculous gift of eternity!

From the very beginning, God intended mankind to be unified under His Kingship. He has always wanted one people, a kingdom of priests, a people for His own possession. Sure, we may all look slightly different on the outside, but internally we are all one. After all, appearances are merely skin deep.

However, we do vary in our culture and family history, and this is often where conflict begins. We who are called by God have a God-sized task ahead of us: while the world has conflict over petty things, we in the church should be completely different. We are to be unified in Christ, unified through humility and gentleness, patience and love. This is a tough calling, yet this unity can happen if it comes through Jesus Christ.

Approach your week with an intentionality for humility. Look out for the needs of others, seek to please God and men first before yourself. As you take action on a truth worth knowing, maybe God will teach you something amazing about Himself to you. 

We have a God who is loving and caring. The bible tells us that God loves the world (John 3:16), that He wishes for no one to perish (2 Peter 3:9), and that we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). If you are His, then He loves you and protects you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. In Him, you are saved, sealed, and set apart for His will and way.

What a wonderful truth this, one that should give you comfort! When you are burdened with pain, trials, or struggles, He sustains you. God the Holy Spirit provides a comfort and peace beyond any human understanding. While many in the world turn to many means of help, nothing can compare to the everlasting soothing of the waters of the Holy Spirit! Yes, you can cast your burdens upon Him- He is big enough, wise enough, and powerful enough to sustain you, and will never allow the righteous to be shaken!

This week, meditate on this verse and think about what this might mean for you as you go into this week.   

·         What burdens might you want to cast upon the Lord this week?

·         What other promises of God have encouraged you in the past?