2nd Kings chapter 5. Who is the true healer?
In this chapter the king of Aram had leprosy and heard of the great prophet Elisha and wanted to meet with him so he could be healed of his leprosy. But when he went to Elisha, Elisha did not meet with him but sent out a servant to tell him to go dip seven times in the Jordan River and he would be healed of his leprosy. The king of Aram was frustrated because he was waiting for the prophet to come out and just touch him and heal him. Instead he didn't even show his face. But the king servant talked him into doing what he was told and when he did he was healed.
It was almost as if he was awestruck with the famous prophet Elisha. When in reality Elisha is not the one who heals but the Lord is.
I don't feel we are much different. Why do some Christians limit God and try and find a great man or woman of God to help with miracles in their lives? Or why are we so quick to grab medicine or go to the doctor before we seek the Lord. I'm not saying we shouldn't go to the doctor or we shouldn't use medicine, I'm just saying we should pray to God first and give him a chance to work how he wants to do it. Our Father loves us and wants to work in and through our lives. I'm not saying he won't use a great man or woman of God to help us in our needs, but I am saying we should go to God first and let him work how He wants to.
This chapter had a lesson for humility and a lesson for greed. One man was healed and another man was cursed.
Naaman was angry that Elisha wouldn’t even come to the door, but instead he was given a message from Elisha. Naaman didn’t want to go to the Jordan River at first, but his servants talked him into it. This whole scenario certainly wasn’t what Naaman was expecting. How often do we expect things to be done a certain way and God has a different way for us to follow instead? God doesn’t fit inside any box that we may try to put Him in. He doesn’t need to use the cleanest river, the touch of a prophet’s hand or any “magic” formula to make miracles happen. All that Naaman needed was faith and obedience. He humbled himself and God gave him the healing that he desired.
The other lesson from this chapter came with Gehazi’s greed. Gehazi went after what really didn’t belong to him. He wanted what Naaman had, but he actually ended up receiving more from Naaman than what he wanted. His greedy heart caused him to become a leper in the end. What a terrible choice that he made!
May the Lord help us to be His humble servants who obediently follow Him in faith without falling into any traps of the world that may include any greed or selfish gain.
Today I was reminded of James 4:8-10.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”