Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
As we know from elsewhere in Scripture, people with leprosy were outcasts from society and not allowed to live in the city. Rejected and feared by society, their lives outside the city gates depended on charity. Yet in 2 Kings 7 it is they who bring the message of redemption to the city walls – the gate keepers pass it on and the news reaches the king.
We all know the saying 'Don’t shoot the messenger', but what about: 'Don’t miss the messenger'? Like Naaman and his expectation of a grand gesture (chapter 5) we can often miss the messenger that God sends. Who would have expected these people with leprosy to bring the good news of a siege lifted?
We get our news from our phone, TV or radio – but where do you hear from God? Are you open to hearing from God in unexpected ways or from unexpected people? Throughout Scripture God uses the most unexpected people to share his word. Don’t miss the messenger! Perhaps God has been speaking to you, but you’ve overlooked it because it didn’t come as you expected? Like the servant in chapter 6 who had his eyes opened, sometimes we need to have our ears opened so that we can hear from God.
God of grace, help us to overcome our expectations of how you act in the world. May we have ears to hear and eyes to see your word to us today.
This reflection was written by Stuart Noble, Bible Society’s Director of Strategic Partnerships
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