Lessons from Naaman - Part 7

And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (2 Kings 5:7-10 ESV). Today’s reading is so commonplace in the lives of countless men and women through the ages. I find it almost humorous as I read the story of Naaman. This fine military hero went to the king of Israel for healing from his leprosy. The king couldn’t cure him. Then Naaman is sent to the house of Elisha. Now you need to understand that Elisha was probably poor, like most prophets of the day. They depended on God to feed them each day, just as God had done for the Israelites in the wilderness. Elisha probably didn’t have an impressive house. Plus, Naaman was from royalty. In his country, a prophet would have been a magician or wise one, who would have probably reported directly to the king. Elisha reported directly to God! I can almost imagine Naaman riding up to the house of Elisha, with his mighty band of warriors, planted firmly upon their horses and chariots, to come to the shack in which Elisha lived (I am taking some literary license here). When the Bible says Naaman "stopped at the door of Elisha’s house", I picture it was because Naaman was thinking, "you sent me here?" It wasn’t where royalty would usually come for healing. What’s even more humorous is that Naaman, from the powerful country of Aram, didn’t intimidate Elisha. Elisha didn’t come running out to greet Naaman. He sent his servant to tell Naaman what to do. Elisha, in his true character as a man of faith, was not awe struck by Naaman, or struck with fear, as many would have been in those days. This story reinforces for me the principles of God’s kingdom. Sometimes the Godliest Christians are the "least of these". Sometimes the ones to whom God reveals Himself are those who aren’t considered the strongest by the rest of the world. Sometimes God uses a humble servant to bring about His mighty plan. And, you and I, the children of God, don’t have to fear like the rest of the world. Are there some Naamans in your world, causing you to fear, bringing havoc to the peace in your life? Take it from Elisha, God gives grace to the humble and causes His children to stand tall!