50 Days: Day 13
Lucky number 13 is the story of Naaman found in 2 Kings 5: 1-14. You can read the whole thing yourself but basically the story is of a rich man, Naaman, who has leprosy. He sends a message to the prophet Elisha asking to be healed of this terrible disease. Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman telling him to go wash in the river Jordan seven times and he would be healed. When Naaman got the message he was "wroth," very mad, because the prophet just sent a messenger and told him to do such a simple thing to be healed. Naaman also dissed the Jordan river, saying there were better rivers in Damascus. Well apparently Naaman had a very wise servant who asked him, "My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?" (V.13). I LOVE that wise question. How many times in my life have I wanted some huge advice or direction in my life, when actually the Lord is saying, it's the simple things that are worthwhile? It's the daily prayer and scripture reading, it's the weekly church attendance, family home evening, spending time with our children. All these little things add up to the great things. It's also so easy to let the little things slide. I don't think the Lord expects huge, grand sacrifices. He expects the small, daily devotion that over time will mold our character to be in Him image.
Some other scriptures along the same lines: James 3: 4 "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."
1 Nephi 16: 29 "Thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."
Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34 "Wherefore be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."
I remember, as a teen, asking my dad about the small helm reference in James. He spent 20 years in the Navy so I figured he'd understand the helm reference. I was right. He explained to me that a very huge ship is turned quite effectively but a small steering wheel. So overall--today's message is that it's the little things that matter in life.
Some other scriptures along the same lines: James 3: 4 "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."
1 Nephi 16: 29 "Thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."
Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34 "Wherefore be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."
I remember, as a teen, asking my dad about the small helm reference in James. He spent 20 years in the Navy so I figured he'd understand the helm reference. I was right. He explained to me that a very huge ship is turned quite effectively but a small steering wheel. So overall--today's message is that it's the little things that matter in life.
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