Is God’s Value My Value?
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Kings 5:1-27 and Psalm 96 (NIV)
(Joel Choong, SGM Core Team Leader)
READ:
Read 2 Kings 5:1-27 (ESV)
These verses stood out to me:
But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. (v11-12)
Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” (v15)
But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. (v16)
But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow. (v26-27)
OBSERVE:
This story of Naaman being healed in the Jordan River was repeated throughout my Sunday School life. But the parts that stand out for me from today’s reading are what the different people in the story valued.
For example, Naaman saw the Jordan river as any other river (v11-12), but he soon found that the God of Israel is what makes anything special or miraculous (v15). On the other hand, Elisha the prophet already knew God’s importance, and he refused to accept any payment for the miracle of healing (v16).
Sadly enough, it was Elisha’s helper, Gehazi, who lacked the understanding of God’s value. He ran after Naaman for the reward and lied about receiving it. Elisha cursed him with Naaman’s leprosy, leading to a sad outcome for Gehazi.
APPLY:
There are occasions when I see miracles happening in my Christian life. It might be someone’s physical healing, or a softened heart to accept God. At these times, I stand and marvel at how great God is and how amazing his work is.
More often, in everyday life, I am constantly battling my assessment of God’s value. Phone notifications update me about acquaintances celebrating their successes in their jobs. Advertisements along Orchard Road show me how a watch or a phone is precious and valuable. Even advertisements in buses and trains tell me about money and how it makes us secure in difficult times. Is God valuable? He is out of the picture!
But I want to apply Elisha’s and Naaman’s gauge of God’s value in my life, to know that God is everything and He is enough. I want to have Elisha’s focus on what matters: God’s work. It is difficult when there are many distractions, and the world tells me otherwise all the time. I want to keep focused on what is of value, and not mistake what is temporary for what is eternal.
DO:
I need to remind myself daily of God’s miracle – the restored relationship I have with Him through Jesus Christ. The eternal value of salvation is beyond what any amount of money can buy, and daily Bible reading reframes this for me. It is a reminder to read the stories of Israel, and how God has shown His value over and over again.
PRAY:
Dear Lord God,
Please help me stay focused on Your work and how valuable You are to me. Please keep distractions at bay, and give me the strength not to turn from the true value of Your salvation. Thank You, God, for the miracles You have done in my life. Please draw me close to You once more.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
