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When Naaman went looking for healing in Israel, he was initially disappointed. He'd come all the way from Aram (in modern-day Syria) because he'd heard that Prophet Elisha could do what the mystics and doctors in his land couldn't - heal his leprosy.
Instead of meeting Elisha, he was met by the prophet's servant, who told him to dip himself in the River Jordan seven times. Naaman did not take kindly to receiving instructions from a messenger. 2 Kings 5:11 - But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
Pride kicked in and he "went off in a rage" (2 Kings 5:12). Naaman's servants appealed to his ego to get him to obey the prophet's instruction. As a result, "his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy" (2 Kings 5:14). Imagine that. His pride and preconceived notions could have gotten in the way of the miracle God wants for you.
By now, we understand why we have to reject pride as believers in Christ. Pride was the original sin, and it led to satan and many angels being kicked out of heaven. Countless examples from the Bible and our lifetime illustrate the negative consequences of being arrogant.
However, many of us fail to realize that our preconceived expectations can limit how we experience God. It is easy to think things should go the way we imagine or the way we've seen similar situations play out. Naaman came from a land where occult practices were normal. The 'priests' in his nation performed like magicians, and he was looking to Elisha and his God to 'perform' in a similar fashion.
What the war commander didn't realize was that he was going to encounter the one true God who never needs to perform parlor tricks to prove His might. Since his expectations weren't initially met and his ego went unfed by Elisha, he wanted to walk away from what eventually transformed his life. And it truly did change his life. So much so, he became a believer in the God Elisha served.
He, like many of us, didn't realize that with God, it is crucial to expect the unexpected. Sadly, many Christians often forget that God's thoughts and ways are higher and thus better than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We ignore the fact that if we expect and demand that God only do things in a way that's comfortable to us, we are likely to miss the very miracles we're desperate for.
This attitude is partly why so many, like the Gadarenes, rejected Jesus. He spoke and did things differently from what they'd become used to and couldn't see past their set ideas to realize that God was doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19).
So, ask yourself, would you have reacted the way Naaman did if you were in his shoes? Or have you already done something similar? Have you ignored an instruction God gave because it was uncomfortable, didn't make sense, or you couldn't see how it would get you to your goal? If you believe in God, you have to trust in Him wholeheartedly. The wonderful thing is He has given you faith, it is time to apply it, knowing He will take care of you and give more.
That often requires you to set education and logic aside (Proverbs 3:5). Instead, you have to lean on the Jericho Moments - the times He did the impossible - and remember that His plans for you are good, and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11). This is God's desire for all who believe in Him and call Him their Father.
Every preconceived notion has to go, so they don't get in the way of the great things God has in store. He is faithful and can be trusted to bring you to the good and expected end He has for you. Have faith!
As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:
