2 Kings 5:14; Hebrews 11:1-2, 6
As I write this, I am reminded of how powerful faith is. My grandpa is in the hospital in Ann Arbor. For three weeks he has been fighting for his life. Sometimes he is responsive, other times he is not. Some days are encouraging to our family, others seem hopeless. If there was ever a time to have faith, it would be now. Seeing loved one’s suffering is one of the hardest things we will have to experience. Faith isn’t easy, especially when things aren’t looking good. My family wants to believe grandpa will pull through, but we simply don’t know. This I do know: God is a miracle worker. I have seen him heal others in supernatural ways…ways beyond human understanding…ways beyond the knowledge of doctors. This I also know: Whatever happens, God is in control. My faith isn’t necessarily that God will heal my grandpa, it’s that His plan IS best. I can have faith that God will work all things together for His good because that’s what He promises (Romans 12:2).
In our reading today, we see Naaman, the commander of King Arams army, had leprosy. If you don’t know much about leprosy, there was no cure, it was highly contagious, and you were basically instructed to isolate yourself until your death. It would truly take a miracle to be cured! Upon hearing of the prophet Elisha, the King graciously lets Naaman travel to see him in hopes of being cured. Yet, upon his arrival, Naaman is mad that Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan river 7 times for healing. There are two problems with his reaction. Naaman first doesn’t understand why he can’t just say the words to him and be healed on the spot. Secondly, he doesn't understand why Elisha wouldn’t ask him to wash in better water…like the rivers of Damascus. In this moment his faith was lacking, and his faith was dependent on his own understanding. It’s kind of funny Naaman wants to control HOW he is healed, instead of just being grateful for the opportunity. Sound familiar? I think we too want to control the outcomes in our lives, then we get frustrated with God like we know better than Him! We have in our finite minds what God's methods should be to heal someone. Or perhaps how exactly He should fix our problems. The way we want a situation to go could be different than what God has in mind. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). Later, we see Naaman is miraculously healed as he goes to the Jordan river and eventually does what the prophet said. It’s amazing to me God let Naaman be healed even after his lack of faith. God is so good to us even when we don’t deserve it! God doesn't need your control; He needs your faith. Do you trust him more than yourself?
In our reading today, we see Naaman, the commander of King Arams army, had leprosy. If you don’t know much about leprosy, there was no cure, it was highly contagious, and you were basically instructed to isolate yourself until your death. It would truly take a miracle to be cured! Upon hearing of the prophet Elisha, the King graciously lets Naaman travel to see him in hopes of being cured. Yet, upon his arrival, Naaman is mad that Elisha tells him to wash in the Jordan river 7 times for healing. There are two problems with his reaction. Naaman first doesn’t understand why he can’t just say the words to him and be healed on the spot. Secondly, he doesn't understand why Elisha wouldn’t ask him to wash in better water…like the rivers of Damascus. In this moment his faith was lacking, and his faith was dependent on his own understanding. It’s kind of funny Naaman wants to control HOW he is healed, instead of just being grateful for the opportunity. Sound familiar? I think we too want to control the outcomes in our lives, then we get frustrated with God like we know better than Him! We have in our finite minds what God's methods should be to heal someone. Or perhaps how exactly He should fix our problems. The way we want a situation to go could be different than what God has in mind. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). Later, we see Naaman is miraculously healed as he goes to the Jordan river and eventually does what the prophet said. It’s amazing to me God let Naaman be healed even after his lack of faith. God is so good to us even when we don’t deserve it! God doesn't need your control; He needs your faith. Do you trust him more than yourself?
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