04/10/2021
How many times has God told us to do something, and we neglected to do it because of our disbelief, or because we stumbled over our pride? We pray for the Lord to heal us, feed us, or provide for us in some way, but when He asks us to join Him in the effort we often refuse to obey because what He has asked of us is beneath us, or we can’t imagine Him demanding something so seemingly ridiculous of us. Sometimes our lack of faith bridles us, or our self-image is so prideful that we turn away; then, in our failure, we blame Him for not answering our prayers. Does this sound familiar?
“But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?””
2 Kings 5:13 ESV
Naaman was a powerful man in Syria; he was the commander of all the king’s armies, and a man of great valor. He was highly regarded by the king, but he also had leprosy. Then one day the Syrian soldiers captured a Jewish girl who told stories of a prophet in Israel who could heal the sick... even lepers. Naaman was thrilled at this news, and told his friend the king, who sent him with a letter, money, and fine gifts, to the king of Israel... asking that he be healed.
“And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.””
2 Kings 5:5-6 ESV
The king of Israel was not a healer, so he sent Naaman to the prophet Elisha to be cured, but when Naaman came to see the prophet, Elisha would not meet with him, but sent a servant to tell him to go down to the Jordan River and wash himself seven times. Naaman was incensed; who was this man who would simply send a servant to meet him, and then tell him to do something as ridiculous as bathing in the Jordan River like any commoner? After all, Naaman was a powerful man who drew the attention of kings, so why was he being treated with such disrespect?
“But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.”
2 Kings 5:11-12 ESV
Fortunately for Naaman he had a servant who was able to reason with him, and convinced him that the prophet’s word was mighty. So Naaman did as he was told and was healed. He then stopped worshiping the gods of Syria, and worshiped only the God of Israel.
“Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.”
2 Kings 5:17 ESV
What if we found ourselves to be like Naaman? What if we lost a good job with people reporting to us, and which paid us a fine salary, then came before the Lord asking Him to give us a new job with an equal position and prestige; what if God sent us to see someone who told one of his employees to tell us to go to Human Resources and that they would give us a job, only to find that this position was as a dishwasher... far beneath us. Would we walk away fuming, and accuse God of treating us poorly, or perhaps lose our faith? Would we forget that God knows better than us?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Maybe we will live out a story similar to Naaman, and one of our friends will actually convince us that any job is better than starvation, or homelessness, and perhaps one day, while washing dishes in the kitchen, we will be noticed for the work we were doing, and begin a meteoric rise to the top of the company where we will spend our days worshiping God, and singing of His glory.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
This story of an executive losing his job is an exaggeration for most of us, but makes the point that God often asks us to humble ourselves before Him before giving us more than we ask for. The pride we have in ourselves must give way to the glory of God, and our faith is meant to gain a greater foothold in our lives. So when we are asked to be humble, to place God far above us, and to trust in Him when He asks us to do things we don’t understand... will we be prepared to do so? I hope we will, because we run into situations like this all the time, and God asks us to do just this. Maybe it is to ask forgiveness in a situation that causes us to sacrifice our pride, or to shine the shoes of a person who lords himself over us... whatever we are asked it is for our good, and even if it is to live a life of less we might just find a treasure of happiness awaits us in it.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Romans 8:28-29 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers when we are in need, and for giving to us according to your promise, but thank you most Lord for answering us in such ways that we find ourselves closer to you, and our faith increased in bowing humbly before your throne. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who teaches us that the first will be last, and the last shall be first in your kingdom. Praised be your name for the times when you restore us, and even double our wealth, but praise you all the more father for those times when we become less in the world to become more in the spirit. Merciful are you Father who replaces earthly pleasure with heavenly treasure, and counts the spiritual joy we find in faith to be more valuable than anything the world has to offer. Continue to teach us in faith Lord, and wash us pure in the blood of Jesus. Lead us into righteousness through the humble example of your Son Jesus who asked for His life, but received a seat at your right hand, and who took the Roman spit, while giving His life for us on Calvary. Find us worthy in our faith, through him, and lift us by grace into your kingdom forevermore.
Rich Forbes