2 Kings 5:1-15a, [15b-19] , Elisha Heals Naaman

Sunday, November 8, 2026
12:00 AM 11:59 PM 00:00 23:59

Google Calendar ICS

Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

“Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.”

— 2 Kings 5:15a

CLICK HERE FOR FULL NL DAILY READING ON OREMUS BIBLE BROWSER

NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, November 8, 2026

by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff

Main Idea: Naaman had to show great humility, patience, and restraint to receive healing from a prophet of Israel. Humility is hard to come by in a modern world where entitlement runs wild.

This is a story of diplomacy and humility. Israel and Aram were still in conflict when Naaman, commander for an Aramean army, sought healing from a prophet in Israel. Naaman was desperate enough to push against several boundaries. First, he learned of Elisha through a young girl that had been kidnapped and trafficked from Israel. Then, he approached his own king and commander with a request to seek help from the opposing country. It was a big deal that someone of such high position would venture into Israel’s land asking for healing. He likely believed a prophet from Israel should be honored to serve a commander of Aram.

But Elisha denied seeing him in person, instead sending a messenger with instructions for how Naaman could wash in the waters of Israel. Naaman was understandably angry, as Elisha’s absence would have been insulting. Still, when reminded of his predicament, Naaman did what he was told, and he was healed. To show his gratitude and humility, Naaman requested dirt so he could worship Israel’s God on Israel’s soil. He also asked God’s forgiveness for the disrespect he would show God when necessarily kneeling before his king’s god.

This entire story is fraught with peril. At any moment, a wrong word or misstep could set off further conflict. Washing in the Jordan was the easiest part of the healing journey. Swallowing pride, showing restraint, and asking for help were far more difficult.

Entitlement has been increasingly problematic in our time. Humility, deference, and restraint seem scarce. We are used to getting what we want, and right now. We have information at our fingertips. Some of us can order groceries to be delivered within two hours. We pay extra to stream ad-free because it’s annoying to wait 1-3 minutes for a show to return. We’ve become so used to this access, it’s ever harder to step back, slow down, and show humility and patience. Explore how your community’s entitlement has affected the world around you, and consider how you might make changes to express humility and deference, not only to the community, but to God as well.