Naaman and faith

The story of Naaman is very interesting and can teach us many things. The one thing I want to look at today is his faith.

Naaman was the highest ranking general in Syria's army; he was also a leper. An Israeli girl had been captured and taken for a servant for Naaman's wife. This servant girl told Naaman's wife about Elisha, God's prophet in Israel. She told her that this prophet could heal Naaman of his leprosy. Naaman asked the king for permission to go to Israel, was granted permission, took a letter to Israel's king, asking him to cure Naaman. Israel's king was in shock, for he had willfully forgotten God. Elisha heard about it and sent word to the king to send Naaman to him.

Naaman went to Elisha's house and was given a message to wash in the Jordan River 7 times. He left in a rage, because he had his ideas on the method of healing, but Naaman's servants reasoned with him and Naaman washed in the Jordan River 7 times and was healed.

Note that Naaman has his own ideas of a miraculous healing, "But Naaman left in a rage, saying, "I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the LORD his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Besides, aren't the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!" (2 Kings 5:11-12).

Note that his servants encouraged him to believe the prophet's method--really God's method. His servants went up to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can't you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?" So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child." (2 Kings 5:13-14)

Note that Naaman did what the prophet had spoken. "So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child." (2 Kings 5:14).

Note the contrast between Naaman's way and God's way. When Naaman believed, it was not just, "Well, OK." When Naaman believed, it was down into the Jordan River. His actions showed his faith. He believed God; his actions proved it. So it is today faith is not just a belief; it is a belief lived out in action. When we believe God, we do what He says. Some of His rules in the New Testament might not make sense, just like Naaman thought about what Elisha had told him. It didn't make any difference if it made sense of not, he believed and obeyed, then he was healed.