Scripture

Our verse for today is from 2 Kings 5:10, “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.'”

Background

Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria, a man that the scriptures say was great and honorable in the eyes of his master. It tells us that the Lord gave Syria victories because of him. The Word also says that Naaman was a leper. So when he finds out that a man of God in Israel can heal him, he gets permission and a letter of instruction from the king and heads straight for Elisha’s house. And the story goes that Elisha does not come out to meet and heal him, but sends a messenger to instruct Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times, and he will be healed. Naaman is furious with this. He expected Elisha to come out and personally heal him, or at the very least, send him to wash in the cleaner waters of the rivers of Damascus. And we’ve all been in Naaman’s shoes. We’ve come to God with a problem or a need and been unhappy with God’s solution. After all, we’re human – we think we know it all. But the amazing part of the story is that Naaman, in his anger and frustration, leaves Elisha’s house in a rage. He is so upset that he, a leper on the verge of being made whole from his society’s worst malady, chooses the disease over the cure.

Application

Now, we’re prone to argue or bargain with God about how to fix our problem. We, like Naaman, want it fixed in a particular way, usually one that involves the shortest amount of time and the least inconvenience. We like being improved, it’s just the improving that’s inconvenient. But when it comes down to it, do you walk away in your sin, choosing leprosy over wholeness? Are you coming to God on Sunday with doubts about your future, and going home frustrated rather than accepting His call to trust and wait? Are you honest about your bad habit, but then hold on to it instead of seeing whether He’s big enough to help you with it? Coming to God is good, and Naaman eventually saw the folly of his choice and washed in the Jordan. Choose the muddy, cleansing waters of God’s Jordan over the clean, familiar rivers of your sin.

Charge

As we seek Him today, take God seriously in what He asks of you. Remember that we can do right and please Him only when we are acting in faith. Trust Him to take care of you.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words