June 30, 2025

Doing It God’s Way

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

June 30–July 6, 2025

Scripture Overview

I may have many gifts and strengths, but navigation is not one of them. I don’t know how I survived before the dawn of Google Maps. Daily, I follow the guidance offered by that little app because without it I would be hopelessly lost. The lectionary readings for this week are a reminder that we were created to follow, daily, in the way of God. Naaman sought healing but could only receive it when he was obedient to God’s way of restoration. The psalmist sought help and healing after suffering and struggle but had to wait on God’s way to reverse the situation. In Galatians we learn about the cause and effect of following God’s way as those who sow to the Spirit reap a different result than those who sow to self. In Luke, Jesus sends the disciples out in pairs to go God’s way, the way of peace for provision and healing. May we take time this week to evaluate our journey of faith and see if we are living life our way or God’s way.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read 2 Kings 5:1-14. When has healing come to you in unexpected ways?
• Read Psalm 30. Think of a time when God turned your mourning into dancing, and give thanks.
• Read Galatians 6:1-16. When you grow weary of doing good, what helps you take the next right step?
• Read Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Who could you invite to go with you as you share the good news of God’s peace and love with others?

Respond by posting a prayer.

¹ Naaman, a general for the king of Aram, was a great man and highly regarded by his master, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. This man was a mighty warrior, but he had a skin disease. ² Now Aramean raiding parties had gone out and captured a young girl from the land of Israel. She served Naaman’s wife. ³ She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master could come before the prophet who lives in Samaria. He would cure him of his skin disease.” ⁴ So Naaman went and told his master what the young girl from the land of Israel had said. ⁵ Then Aram’s king said, “Go ahead. I will send a letter to Israel’s king.” So Naaman left. He took along ten kikkars of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. ⁶ He brought the letter to Israel’s king. It read, “Along with this letter I’m sending you my servant Naaman so you can cure him of his skin disease.” ⁷ When the king of Israel read the letter, he ripped his clothes. He said, “What? Am I God to hand out death and life? But this king writes me, asking me to cure someone of his skin disease! You must realize that he wants to start a fight with me.” ⁸ When Elisha the man of God heard that Israel’s king had ripped his clothes, he sent word to the king: “Why did you rip your clothes? Let the man come to me. Then he’ll know that there’s a prophet in Israel.” ⁹ Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots. He stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. ¹⁰ Elisha sent out a messenger who said, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored and become clean.” ¹¹ But Naaman went away in anger. He said, “I thought for sure that he’d come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the bad spot, and cure the skin disease. ¹² Aren’t the rivers in Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all Israel’s waters? Couldn’t I wash in them and get clean?” So he turned away and proceeded to leave in anger. ¹³ Naaman’s servants came up to him and spoke to him: “Our father, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? All he said to you was, ‘Wash and become clean.’” ¹⁴ So Naaman went down and bathed in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said. His skin was restored like that of a young boy, and he became clean.

Naaman had it all, almost. He was a successful army commander who had a wife, servants, and the respect of the king. But he also suffered from leprosy. So when he heard of a prophet in Samaria who could help, he spoke to the king and went on his way...

Subscribe to Continue Reading

God, help me hear the voices that are so often silenced. Keep me humble, lest my pride prevent my healing journey. Teach me to leave my power at the door and trust in yours. Amen.

2 Comments