2 Kings 5:9-15 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.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.”
Does it seem so much that I, who created all, can multiply food supplies? Or that I, through my prophet, can bring back the dead to life? Or that I can cure leprosy? And really, don’t you see that Elisha’s actions, and Naaman’s actions – none of that was really necessary for me to do what I wanted. I could raise the dead without anyone’s help. I can cure leprosy without the person dipping in a river. But I do that so people will see and understand and believe. So now, you profess to believe in me. Can I not do anything in your life that I choose? Trust me. I will help you to change your life for the better. I will honor all your attempts at obedience. Just trust me. Naaman almost forfeited being cured because of his pride and his expectations as to how I would do things. He expected Elisha to meet with him in person, to waive his hand and Naaman would be cured. Don’t make the same mistakes. You don’t have any idea how I will do the things I will do in your life. And, I don’t have to appear before you to do them. Do you believe? Really believe? (2005)
Amanuensis 