2 Kings 5 tells an incredible story of a powerful general who kills people and conquers land for a living. Even crazier, he does so with the help of God. Chapter 5 begins, “Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.”
So, Naaman has a problem. A very big problem.
Like Naaman, we have incredible agency and luxury.
- Good jobs with opportunity for promotion.
- Schools, grocery stores and hospitals nearby.
- Uber & Door Dash are always on call.
Like Naaman, we have problems we cannot solve. Very big problems.
- Companies downsize and plants close, but bills do not.
- Cancer spreads without detection.
- Distracted drivers are everywhere.
Only Jesus can give hope, peace, and grace.
Verse 2 continues, “Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife.” The person with the least power in the story – she has no agency and no luxury – she has the answer to Naaman’s problem. She knows there is a prophet in Israel.
That prophet, Elisha, speaks for Jehovah-Rapha – God who heals.
Monday, Pastor Ron’s wife Kathy got an encouraging report about her lymphoma. We are thankful. That doesn’t mean she is cured, or Jesus heals every disease. Eventually, this earthly life will end. As the strength of life fades and every earthly remedy falters, will we trust Jesus to the end?
Naaman was given the simplest command – so simple he got mad – wash in the Jordan River 7 times. Jesus gave the simplest answer when asked, what is the work we should do, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
May the Holy Spirit give us the courage to believe today.
