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My Way - 2 Kings 5:1-15 #BeHumble

I got hit right between the eyes by the daily devotional from Our Daily Bread over the weekend.  If you know me and you read the title, you may have a slight idea why since I have a tendency to like things "my way". 

V.1 tells us that Naaman was a commander of the army and is pretty close with the King of Syria making Naaman a rather powerful man.  But he was not a perfect man, he had an incurable disease, leprosy.

Vs.2-4 tell us of a little girl from Israel who had been taken captive by the Syrians.  She told Naaman's wife that there was a prophet from Israel who could cure him of his leprosy.

Vs.5-7 tells of the letter, gold, silver, and clothing that Naaman took to the King of Israel.  But the King became distressed because he did not have the power to heal anyone since he was not God.

V.8 Elisha overhears the distress of the king and offers to heal the man so that they can see there is a prophet in Israel. 

Vs.9-12 Naaman comes to Elisha's house with all his chariots and horses and stood at the door.  But Elisha sends a messenger to Naaman to tell him "go and wash in the Jordan seven times."  But Naaman became angry that the prophet did not come out and call on his Lord to heal him.  He then goes on to say how much better the waters of Damascus are than the waters of Israel. 

Vs.13-14 Naaman's servants say to him that he may as well try washing in the Jordan River since he's been so willing to try everything else.  So he goes down and dips himself seven times and his flesh was clean. 

V.15 Naaman returns to Elisha and proclaims "Behold, I know that there is no God in all earth but in Israel."

So what can we take from this passage?

Naaman was a powerful and well-respected man in Syria so he expected that everywhere he went he should be treated with respect and adoration.  With that mentality, he felt insulted when he didn't get to talk to the "big man" and was given instructions from a mere servant.  Then once he is given a plan for healing from a prophet of God, Elisha, he refuses to follow his direction.  He believed that the rivers of Damascus were cleaner than the muddy Jordan River.  However, the quality of the water was not the issue here, obedience to God's Word was the real issue.  When Naaman finally humbled himself and obeyed God, he was able to be healed.  Oh how often I've said to myself, others, and unfortunately to God that "I'll do it my way" while refusing to acknowledge that my way is not the best way. 

"Father, forgive me for my pride and for so often thinking I know best.  Give me a humble heart that is willing to follow your way in everything."  Marion Stroud

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