Waiting at the Door

O. T. #832  "Waiting at the Door"
Sept. 19, 2016
2 Kings 5


LET IT GLOW

Whew! I am finally back up on my feet and walking on my country road of faith. That stomach virus lasted 5 days, since my weakness is in the belly anyway. Sad for me to have to miss speaking at the girl's retreat at our church, but I was able to write the lesson beforehand and a friend was able to deliver it. I missed y'all, too. So, enough about me. Grab a glass of tea and join me on the porch as we discuss a spotty situation in which Nathan is involved. Do I hear someone knocking at the door?

Who was Naaman, our main character today?

• He was supreme commander of the Syrian (Aramean) army.
• He was a great man of high social standing and prominence.
• Naaman was an honorable man in his master's eyes because of his military victories.
• He was a mighty man of valor, signifying a wealthy man and a courageous warrior.
• Naaman suffered from a skin disease of leprosy.
• One of the raids on Israel which Naaman led, he captured an Israelite girl who became his wife's servant.

One day the Israeli servant girl told her mistress that she wished Naaman would go to see the prophet in Samaria (Elisha). He would heal her master of his leprosy. Now, leprosy was an incurable, contagious disease which ended in death for the infected, much like AIDS victims today.

We are not told the girl's name, but her brief words of faith in the God of Israel was significant here. God had placed her there for a purpose and she was faithful. She was able to love her enemy (Syria was enemies with Israel then) and wished God's miraculous healing on her master. Wow!

Where has God placed you? No matter how humble or small your position, God can use you to spread His Word. Look for opportunities to tell others what God can do. There's no telling who will hear your message! (Life's Application Study Bible)

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus told us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us.


LET IT GROW

Of course, Naaman's wife told him what the servant girl said to her. He wen to the king, who showed concern for his commander by sending Naaman with a letter of introduction and a huge gift to the king of Israel, who was probably Joram. This gift of 750 pounds of silver and 150 pounds of gold worth abut a million dollars today. 

Israel's king sure needed a mustard size faith in God, but he seemed to make fun of the situation, in verse 7. We read that he:

• tore his clothes in dismay, for he had no control over the situation, afraid of the outcome if Naaman were not healed;
• wasn't a believer in God, for he asked if he was God, that gives life and takes it away;
• thought the king of Araam was trying to pick a fight with him.

Elisha got wind of the king tearing his clothes and sent a message asking why the king was so upset. Then Elisha instructed the king to send Naaman to him and the king would learn there is a true prophet in Israel. Elisha was a prophet of the One True Living God.

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha's house.

He humbled himself since Naaman was a mighty warrior and commander, humbly waited to see the prophet, and humbly waited to receive healing of his sickness.

Are we too proud to ask for a healing? Are we willing to humble our self before God and present our  need?

We are going to leave Naaman at the door, waiting.


LET IT GO

Humbly ask and wait for God's answer, for Him to heal, act, meet my need.

Thank You Jesus for bringing me through that awful time of sickness.

Thank You for giving the words of encouragement the girls needed to hear.