Day 31 (3/24)
Day 31 (3/24)
Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 5:9-12
Written by Bo Blumenshine
9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
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. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
Naaman shows up to Elisha’s door with all the grandeur befitting the commander of an army. With his entourage in tow, Naaman is essentially saying, “Consider yourself lucky to have the pleasure of healing me.” His pride is immediately challenged by Elisha.
The prophet does not even meet Naaman face to face, instead he sends out a messenger with instructions for the commander. To me I read the message like this: go wash yourself in the river out back ‘cause ya stink. I don’t mean to sound glib, rather I wish to convey God’s ability to humble us so we may receive his blessings.
My own battle with Crohn’s disease has been a constant reminder that it is in God’s strength where my hope lies. Seeking God’s healing touch has broadened and stretched my heart greater than any reliance upon physical attributes ever did. Naaman was angry at the perceived slight and his ego was bruised. It was then that God opened Naaman’s heart so that he could be healed.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please remove any prideful junk lingering in my character and humble me so that I may receive your blessings, Amen.