Choose Forgiveness and Love!

2 Kings 5:1-4 New International Version

Naaman Healed of Leprosy 5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.[a] 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.

Monday - August 2

Most of the time we think that forgiveness comes after someone apologizes to us. But the “little” servant girl from Israel who was taken as a slave shows that forgiveness is much more and is a daily part of life. She does not hold a grudge. She is not angry or resentful. She does not delight in Naaman’s suffering. Forgiveness is a constant choice to set aside all those things and choose to love. Forgiveness and love are not feelings, but choices. While they are wrapped up in emotions, the hard choices to forgive and love create new life. It was that small act of forgiveness and love from that unnamed “little” servant girl from Israel that led to Naaman’s new life.