You Never Know (1/16-20)

2 Kings 5:15 “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.”

        John is a humble, uneducated man. Yet God used him to start the peace process in Mozambique. His name is not mentioned in any official documents; all he did was arrange a meeting between two of his acquaintances—Kenyan Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat and a Mozambican. But that set in motion the events that led to a peace treaty after a 10-year civil war.

        From that experience, Ambassador Kiplagat learned the importance of respecting everyone. “YOU NEVER DISMISS PEOPLE because they are not educated, because they are white, because they are black, because they are women, BECAUSE THEY ARE OLD or young. Every encounter is sacred, and we need to value that encounter,” he said. “You never know what word might be there for you.”

        The Bible confirms that this is true. Naaman was a great man in Syria when he got leprosy. A servant girl whom he had captured from Israel told Naaman’s wife that the prophet Elisha could heal him. Because Naaman was willing to listen to this lowly servant girl, his life was spared and he came to know the one true God (2 Kings 5:15).

        God often speaks through those to whom few are willing to listen. To hear God, be sure to listen to the humble. –Julie Ackerman Link from Our Daily Bread November 4, 2010.

Dorothy: I picked up one of many old pamphlets I saved for my personal devotion. I was amazed of how God seems to read my heart about the word, dismiss and when I wondered how Tony and I would deal with it. I know some of you have been very supportive and pray for us.

        This devotion was the most powerful advice I have ever seen. “You never dismiss people … because they are old,” Ambassador Kiplagat in Mozambique, Africa, quoted this. Those words boost our spirits, “You never dismiss people because they are old …”

        The Bible has mentioned how God has chosen ancient people to do His great work. Can you name them? Abraham, Sarah, Noah, Moses, Zecharias, Elisabeth, Simeon, and Anna. Enoch was 365 years old when he walked with God and God took him (Gen. 5:23-24).

        God would never “dismiss old people” to do His great work. This is a wonderful testimony, one could ever give. Thank You, Lord for this wonderful words of encouragement. You are a great God! We praise You!