2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman goes to Israel to seek God for the healing of his leprosy, and he almost misses the healing because it doesn’t take the form he wants or expects. In the pride of his position, he goes straight to the king and expects to be served. He wants no part of humility or submission. He doesn’t care about coming into a right relationship with God Almighty.
This isn’t just Naaman’s story, but a human story. The Holy Spirit has definitely convicted me of praying in a similar attitude. I don’t just ask God to intervene, but I tell Him how I want it done. Like Naaman, I might even reject the work God wants to do in me. After all, I’d be fine if only this situation were resolved. When we do this, aren’t we saying, “I’m not the problem. I’m fine. Everybody and everything else is the problem”? When we ask for God’s help, if we really want His intervention, we need to have the humility to accept His methodology.
Sometimes we miss the healing God has for us because we refuse to submit. We love our pride more. But God isn’t just looking at physical circumstances. He sees us as whole people: body, soul, mind, spirit. He wants to bring healing to our whole person. Remember, His character is not dependent on circumstances. His love, joy, and peace are unfazed in the face of evil and are unending and never failing. If we’re losing sight of peace, then we are missing something of God in our lives. If we’re having trouble loving someone, we’re lacking God’s heart. We need a real encounter, and that’s what He seeks to resolve.
Naaman wasn’t thinking of meeting God Almighty, but God knew Naaman’s problem ran deeper than his skin. In choosing to submit, Naaman returned to worship and acknowledge God as the One True God. Naaman’s story invites us to choose humility also and see what God will do.
Carol Hill
Lay Counselor & Prayer Team