How many of you know the story of
Naaman from the book of 2 kings? I didn't know his story and when I read about
him I knew I had to share it with you. So let's see what Naaman can tell us
about breathing and being at the feet of our God!
Naaman was the commander of the
army of the King of Syria which is north of Israel. He was famous and powerful
because he had won the many battles. But even though it seemed he had it all,
he had one big problem. Naaman had leprosy. During one battle, a battle over
Israel he took a young girl to be a servant to his wife. This girl knew of the
one true God. This young girl was
talking to Naaman's wife (her mistress) one day and expressed her desire for
Naaman to go to Samaria to see a prophet (Elisha) that she knew could use God's
power to heal Naaman's leprosy. This is interesting...this young girl had heard
of the miracles wrought by Elisha, and didn't doubt that at the request of her
lord, he would be willing to cure him of this disease. Well, Naaman's wife went and told Naaman about the
conversation between her and the servant girl. She said to her mistress,
"If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure
him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:3
Naaman then went to the king and
told him what the servant girl had said. The King instructed Naaman to go to
Israel accompanied with a letter to the King of Israel. The letter read;
"With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may
cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:6. And just in case you
are ever on Jeopardy...Naaman also took with him ten talents of silver, six
thousand shekels of god and ten sets of clothing...about 1.2 million dollars
today.
So Naaman gets to the king of
Israel, King Jehoram, who was a worshiper of false Gods. When he read the
letter he became very angry, tore his robes and said, 2 Kings 5:7 "Am I God? Can I
kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be
cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!" Well, that didn't go so well!
But in verse 8 we find that word of
all this gets to Elisha...don't know how but we know why...God wanted Naaman
healed! So when Elisha hears that the King has torn his robes and is angry Elisha
sends the King a message and tells him to have Naaman come to him. 2 Kings 5:8 "Have the man come to me
and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel."
It is at this point that Naaman
travels to Elisha's house. Elisha sends out a messenger to tell Naaman to go
wash himself seven times in the Jordan River and his flesh will be restored and
he will be cleansed. vs. 9-10.
What a simple task to receive full
healing but, and isn't life funny, Naaman went away angry! He was angry because
it wasn't cure he WAS wanting. Read vs. 11-12...Naaman is upset because he
wanted Elisha to come out, stand before him, call on the Lord his God, wave his
hand over the him and cure of his leprosy...that way! He wants it done his way,
he wants to be in control, so he fusses even more! He names several rivers and
asks, "Are they not better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I
wash in them and be cleansed?" vs.12. Yep, been there, done that!
Thank goodness there were others
that Naaman listened to that knew how to Breathe...how to take a moment and Be!
It tell us in vs. 13 that Naaman's servants went to him and reasoned with him.
"if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have
done it? How much more, then, when he tells you 'wash and be cleansed'!" So Naaman goes and takes seven dips in the Jordan River like the man of God instructed him and "his flesh was restored and
he became clean like that of a young boy!" vs. 14. Naaman is now a believer in the one true
God...the God of Israel, the God who heals and he goes back to Elisha with his
servants to declare that!
I am grateful that there is this story
to teach me. In Naaman's life and in my life there are similarities. Mankind
has a self-will. By our reasoning, by our own experiences and desires, and by
our egos, we want things to be our own way. We tend to fight against what God
desires for us, large and small, because of our will. But when we submit humbly
to the wise (and simple) plans of God there is deliverance, fruitfulness, joy! I
can't count the times that I have encountered problems and difficulties and the
answer was to BREATHE...and BE...go to God, pray, and seek an answer from him.
Instead I held my breath, went to everyone but God, and was all over the map.
Doesn't work well. Yes, your situation might be resolved with an okay outcome
but the stress, the frustration, the worry and anxiety that comes with the lack
of faith and obedience is not worth it.
And another part of the story that
shone a light on my life was how simple the answer for the healing was. Just go
down to the river...but no! I don't see how that could be the answer! Questions,
defiance, rebellion instead of obedience..."for my thoughts are not your
thoughts neither are neither are your ways my ways." Isaiah 55:8
So, like I talked about on Monday
the first step of surrendering all the stresses and worries, anger and
frustration in life is to submit fully to God. FAITH...in Him. A complete
pouring out of your will into his hands and trusting God fully. Naaman was not
there. But that is where we all, as Christians, should aspire to be. Week by
week, day by day, hour by hour. And as we release more to the Father, we can
accept where we are in our trials and tribulations, BREATHE and BE and listen
for the whisper of God to direct us. "Hear my cry. O God, give heed to my
prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me
to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2
It is then that we can jump into
action and open the box of blessings that God wants us to have as his gift to
us! I thank God for the story of Naaman and I thank God for brothers and
sisters like you that are traveling on this journey with me...that we can learn
together, pray for each other, and rejoice with together as we BREATHE...and
BE...in the arms of God!
If the Lord is pleased with us, he
will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give
it to us. Numbers 14:8
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