Today is February 5.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of 2 Kings, chapter 4.


One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.


I recently heard a story of someone who went on a mission trip to serve a church in a different country. And he was blown away at the hospitality he was shown. He arrived to a host family of modest means who opened their home to him. Not only did they welcome him into their home and family, they insisted that he sleep in their bed, while they slept on the couch. The story in today’s reading is similarly a story of radical hospitality, where a couple made a room for Elisha to stay whenever he passed through town. Think about a time where someone showed you hospitality to you in a way that caused you to pause and say, “Wow this is really extravagant!”

In this story we see that biblical hospitality isn’t just about the details—not just about cleaning the bathroom or sweeping the floors, planning a special meal, or preparing a room for a guest. When we make space for others and when we serve others, we make space for God, and we serve God. As you listen to the passage again, pay attention to how a simple act of hospitality made room for God, and how it changed a couples’ life forever.

Being hospitable doesn’t require you to offer up a nice room in your home or even prepare a fantastic meal. Think less of it as a formula and more of an invitation. As we close our time today, ask God how he might be inviting you to show hospitality to someone in your life. Who is one person who God is highlighting?

Ask him to speak to you about how you can extend the grace of hospitality. And as you do, remember that you are making room for God to move.

Lord God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, You have brought me in safety to this new day. Preserve me with Your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity. And in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of Your purpose through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Music: All The Same - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)