The king of Syria (Aram) had a highly respected captain in his army. This man Naaman, was a valiant warrior. What was the problem? He had dreaded leprosy. Leprosy has the power to kill over time. Naaman’s life was in danger.
Simple Faith
The armies of Aram took a girl from Israel as a captive. She was a slave to Naaman’s wife.
This little girl said to her mistress one day, “I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him (Naaman) of his leprosy.” Simple faith of a child. 2 Kings 5:1-3
Naaman heard what the girl said and went to his master, the king of Aram and told what the girl said. The king thought that was great! He said I will send a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman took the letter himself along with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold and ten changes of clothing. These two men did not know God and His ways. The letter told the king of Israel to cure Naaman of leprosy. The king of Israel was upset and thought the king must be picking a quarrel against him.
Elisha the prophet heard of the problem the king of Israel was facing. He sent a message to Israel’s king, send the man to me. He will know there is a prophet in Israel.
The confident, full assurance of faith.
Naaman went to Elisha’s house along with all his horses and chariots, he stood at the door. Did Elisha come out and pay homage to this important man? No he did not.
He sent a message to Naaman – Go wash in the Jordan River seven times and your flesh will be restored to you, you will be clean from leprosy.
What did Naaman do? He got angry! He assumed that he would be given an honorable greeting, not this mundane instruction. The rivers in Syria are better than the Jordan River. Besides Naaman thought that the prophet would come out, wave his arms and hands a little bit and he would be healed.
Assumed expectations of no faith.
Naaman’s servants wisely said, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn’t you do it? Think about it, he is asking you to wash and be clean.
Naaman cooled off, went to the Jordan River and did what Elisha said to do, his skin became clean and restored like the skin of a child. 2 Kings 5:4-14
Naaman assumed (something to be taken as fact without proof) what God would have him do, some elaborate and noteworthy actions. But that is not how God healed Naaman. Elisha, God’s prophet, told him a very simple remedy for leprosy.
God’s Word ~ Alive!
Hebrews 10:22
“let us draw near with a sincere heart
in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water.”
What is your faith?
Simple, childlike?
Confident and full of assurance?
Assumed expectations from no faith?
Do you assume how God will
respond to your prayers?