Lessons from Naaman - Part 1

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. (2 Kings 5:1 ESV). We don’t know a whole lot about Naaman, but we know from just this verse that he was considered a great man in his time. He was not an Israelite, but God was still allowing victory through him. That proves that God is Lord over the good and the bad. As great as Naaman was, however, he had a problem. He had leprosy, and nothing, including all his money and power, had been able to cure him of the disease. It is interesting that he is seen as such a great leader having contracted leprosy. While we don’t see very many cases of leprosy in our modern world, the disease still affects thousands of people. It mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, the upper respiratory tract and also the eyes, apart from some other structures. Leprosy has afflicted humanity since time immemorial. It once affected every continent and it has left behind a terrifying image in history and human memory of mutilation, rejection and exclusion from society. Leprosy has struck fear into human beings for thousands of years, and was well recognized in the oldest civilizations of China, Egypt and India. A cumulative total of the number of individuals who, over the millennia, have suffered its chronic course of incurable disfigurement and physical disabilities can never be calculated. Since ancient times, leprosy has been regarded by the community as a contagious, mutilating and incurable disease. In short, it was a very great problem! We all have problems, don’t we? Oh, it seems that some people get away without them, but they don’t. Some may not have the money problems you have, but they have other problems. Some may not have the physical problems you have, but they have other problems. Show me a human being and I’ll show you someone susceptible to the problems of life. I remember when I was younger, before my chest started to fall into my belly. I used to wonder why some guys had all the muscles. I’m sure there are ladies out there who wonder why some girls have just the right figure. I remember someone telling me once, that even among the most beautiful in the world, there is always a flaw. Even the biggest models have something about their body they would love to change. Life simply is not perfect. We all have problems. This world takes its toll on each of us. Naaman had so much going for him, but he had one thing against him, and it was a plague that affected everything else. This week, as we look at the life of this great Biblical character, think about your own life. Have you got a problem or two? Is there a certain problem area of your life that affects all the others? Perhaps, like Naaman, you will find that God is ready and able to help you through the problem and make your life whole again. It is what happened to Naaman.