Trusting in God

His power is perfected in our weakness

Naaman was a powerful man of his time. He was also very self-reliant, not needing anyone’s instructions to do what he was great at. After all Naaman was appointed high-commander of King Ben-hadad II of Damascus’ army. He was recognized as a courageous soldier, a conqueror of nations and a powerful leader. He was highly hailed among other gods of his people like; Ishtar, Rimmon, and Baal. And, just as the apostle Paul was “Hebrew of Hebrews,” (Philippians 3:5) Naaman was an Aramean among Arameans.

There was however one destructive enemy Naaman, with all his wisdom and might could not conquer. This powerful enemy was leprosy, a corrosive disease that eventually would threaten his future with mutilation, isolation, blindness and certain death. Those with the horrible disease were known as; lepers, and they were shunned with fear. The officials and royalty who once revered Naaman now avoided him. His disease continued to gain ground and he was now watching his leprosy take over his once healthy body inch by retched inch.

Something unexpected was about to happen to Naaman. A certain little Jewish girl who had been abducted during one of Aram many raids into Israel was serving in Naaman’s household. One day she commented to her master’s wife that she wished her master would go to the prophet who lived in Samaria, so he could be healed by this one who could cure him. Taking the advice of such a young girl, especially a Jew would only demonstrate the hopelessness Naaman felt. But, he did! We know this healing prophet to be Elisha.

When Naaman visited the home of Elisha, the prophet would not honor him by coming out in front of his house to meet him. Instead, the prophet sent his servant with instructions for the commander to dip himself seven times in the Jordan river – the God of Israel would heal him! This mighty warrior who had contracted leprosy, been reduced to accepting the advice of a simple slave girl was now in a rage. He had just trudged through this same muddy river to arrive here at this prophet’s house. What was so miraculous about that water? “Aren’t the pristine waters of Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus better than any rivers of Israel?” he declared.

Returning to Damascus, and in God’s providence, Naaman stopped at the Jordan river to water his men and horses. I imagine he must have thought to himself there at the riverbank; What if he was healed? What did he have to lose? His disease was going to take him eventually anyway. Climbing down off his horse he walked into the swirling, dirty water, mud squishing up between his diseased toes and dipped down into the cold water. He looked at his arms and legs and nothing was happening. Once again he dipped. And again, and again doing this seven times just as he had been instructed to do. After the seventh time he looked down at his hands, his arms and legs, and saw that “his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14). Instantly, Naaman declared there was no god on earth but the God of Israel (v. 5:15). Thereafter Naaman only honored the God who had cured him of his leprosy.

Who is merciful? Who is our healer? Who will we give all credit to? God, He alone is all-sufficient to heal us. “Seek the LORD in His strength” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Turn to the LORD in fervent prayer, for it is He, the LORD who says; “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you” (2 Kings 20:5).