Last Wednesday through Friday we spent our devotional time within 2 Kings, and if you joined us for worship yesterday, Pastor Mary continued in 2 Kings 5 (1-14), and we will pick up today where she left off.
As a reminder Naaman was a high-ranking official within the Syrian Army, and he also had leprosy. He went to Israel to see the Prophet Elisha for healing. When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s home with his entourage and earthly riches, Elisha sent a messenger to tell Naaman to go and drip himself seven times within the Jordan River and as a result his leprosy would be healed. Naaman was angry that Elisha did not come to meet him, and so he stormed off. One of his officers eventually convinced Naaman to obey Elisha’s message, and “So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!” (v.14)
Today’s devotion picks up with Naaman looking for “the man of God”, Elisha. Far too often, you and I can be just like Naaman and resist God’s guidance and healing for our lives and as a result we make things unnecessarily complicated. God’s plan was simple for Naaman, and it is simple for you and me. Yet even after God heals him, and Naaman wants to worship the God of Israel, he still wants to gift Elisha. Living faithfully within this world can be hard at time, and that is what we see happening for Naaman, and it happens to you and me all of the time. Within these moments we need to reach up and grab ahold of God’s grace. This is what Naaman ended up doing. He confessed his need for forgiveness and called on God’s mercy and favor, and Elisha granted him God’s peace.
God’s grace, mercy, favor, and peace are all available for you and me right now. We simply need to call on Jesus, by faith, for delivery and obediently walk out the plan God has for us.
2 Kings 5:15-19 (NLT)
15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.
17 Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord. 18 However, may the Lord pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the Lord pardon me when I bow, too.”
19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the example of Your healing and guidance as seen through Elisha and Naaman. We want more of Your spiritual healing and guidance within our lives, Lord. We call on Your grace, mercy, favor, and peace today, as we want to grow in our faith and be more obedient to You, Lord Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.