We’re a hard-headed bunch.
Sometimes even knuckleheads.
The term ‘knucklehead’ (and a corresponding fictional character) was created in 1942 by the U.S. Army to show new recruits what not to do. Let’s just say (nicely) that a knucklehead is a less-than-astute person who fails to use good judgment. And, yes, we are that sometimes. We are that spiritually too often. Why?
- Some have never been taught to listen or follow directions.
- Some have never been taught respect for authority.
- Some have not been taught who God is.
- Some think they know better and refuse to listen to anyone–even God.
Does that last point qualify someone as a knucklehead? I think so. We can all be one at times. I have been. Perhaps you too at some time or another? The question is whether we are willing to learn from our mistakes and grow into a mature relationship with God despite our knuckleheaded past behavior. Knuckleheads never do. Humble people always do.
Drilling down into this a bit more, we are sometimes like Naaman in today’s Scripture passage. Naaman had expectations and was not willing to adjust them–until someone spoke reason and wisdom into his life. Naaman proved himself not a knucklehead because he humbled himself, followed the instruction of Elisha and… was HEALED! He went on to humble himself even further and acknowledge God as being supreme.
This is a lesson for us. Sometimes God’s instructions do not agree with our expectations. Sometimes they even contradict our traditions and beliefs. So, if God instructs you to do something that contradicts with what you believe, what should you understand from that? (Hint: You should understand that you have believed something incorrect and you need to adjust it!)
The point of today’s Scripture passage (and my point for this message) is one of humility.
- Be willing to acknowledge when you are wrong.
- Be willing to accept instruction and respect authority–especially God’s authority.
- Be willing to accept that what you think is not always true or correct.
These are hallmarks of humility. And why is humility so important? It is the foundation of relationship—any relationship–and especially a relationship with God.
Without humility, there will be no genuine relationship, no intimacy, and no appropriate respect. Humility qualifies us for the “deeper” things of God because otherwise, He cannot trust us. We could spend days on this topic, but I trust you get the point.
The takeaway is: Don’t be a spiritual knucklehead. Humble yourself before God and He will promote you in His way and time (James 4:10).
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Today’s Seed™ Scripture and Prayer for Jan. 23, 2023:
But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy.” But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would surely come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child’s, and he was healed! (2 Ki 5:10-11, 13-14 NLT)
Prayer: LORD, though I have ideas about the way things should be done, I am willing to do whatever You say, whenever and however You say it should be done. When my thoughts or ways conflicts with Yours, I will always yield to You because Your plans and ways are always best and Your decisions and judgments are always correct, just, and true. There is never an exception. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved • http://www.e-min.org
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“Today’s Seed” from E-MIN • Jan. 23, 2023
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