(This is a Chapter from the book - ‘21 Days To Divine Healing’ by Deon Thomas)
“Naaman’s servant went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (2 KINGS 5:13-14)
“He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” (PSALM 107:20)
ARE YOU AWARE THAT YOU might be blocking the very healing for which you are hoping? In order to gain insight into this point, let us take a look at the life of Naaman, an outstanding Aramean soldier.
Naaman was the commander of the army of Aram and was greatly respected by its king, because through him, the Lord had bestowed many victories on their land (2 Kings 5:1). There was, however, something wrong with Naaman – he had a debilitating disease called leprosy.
It happened that a young Israelite girl who had been taken captive by Aramean soldiers ended up serving Naaman’s wife (2 Kings 5:2). This young woman knew that the power of God was available to heal Naaman, so she said to her mistress:
“If only my master (Naaman) would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3)
Naaman responded to the good news he had received and requested the approval of the king of Aram to go to Samaria to visit Elisha, the mighty man of God. What happened next is very important!
When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house, Elisha did not go out to meet him. Instead, he sent one of his servants to tell Naaman that he had to go and wash seven times in the Jordan in order to be healed (2 Kings 5:9-10). This approach by Elisha did not sit well with Naaman at all. He became very 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 leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.” (2 Kings 5:11-12)
Naaman’s response gives us at least three ‘enemies’ that can keep us from being healed. Let us take a look at each of them!
THREE ENEMIES OF HEALING.
The First Enemy - Your Own Thoughts
The first two words that left Naaman’s mouth were ‘I thought’. Naaman went to Samaria to see the prophet Elisha in order to be healed and he received an instruction that would bring healing to his body. In his own mind, however, he had thoughts about the process by which he was to be healed. When the prophet’s procedure was not in accordance with his thoughts, he became angry and rejected the very cure for his sickness.
Naaman almost missed his healing because he exalted his own thoughts above the Word of God which was declared through the prophet, Elisha, the Lord’s manservant. Like Naaman, we also can place our own thoughts above God’s Word and end up missing the healing that we so desperately desire. We are never going to think along the same lines as the Lord. His wisdom far exceeds our own, and His ways are not our ways. Take a look at what the Bible says:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8)
When the Lord gives us an instruction, our only response should be: ‘Yes, Lord’.
The Second Enemy – Your Own Way
The second enemy that almost robbed Naaman from being healed was his own way. He had a preference for how the healing should take place. Look at what he 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.” (2 Kings 5:11)
Naaman had a particular procedure in his mind of how Elisha should have operated. He expected Elisha to greet him, stand before him, call upon the Lord for him, wave his hand over his sick body and heal him. When Elisha did not do the things he had expected, he was indignant.
As believers, we can behave like Naaman. We can be expecting a miraculous healing, but the Lord has given a simple instruction through the doctors, and we reject it because we want a miraculous or flamboyant intervention by the Lord. We must always remember that the Lord’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). There are times He will heal supernaturally, but there are times he will heal through the advice of medical doctors. Either way, it is the Lord who brings the healing.
The Third Enemy – Your Own Emotions Naaman was told to go and dip seven times in the Jordan in order to be healed (2 Kings 5:10), but because his predetermined expectations were not met, he became angry and refused to obey the Word of the Lord through the prophet Elisha. Imagine that! He had heard the very answer that would bring healing to his body, but instead of being filled with gratitude, he was filled with anger. He was so angry that he was willing to go back home sick.
Being angry at God’s Word carries absolutely zero benefit for us. In anger, Naaman was about to make a decision to live with a debilitating disease for the rest of his life. He had travelled so many miles to receive the healing touch of the Lord, but was about to let his emotions rob him of the opportunity to be completely healed.
Never get angry at God’s Word. His Word has been given to us for our own good. If the Holy Spirit reminds you of the Word of God which instructs you to forgive someone who has offended you, do not be angry, instead, forgive the person. It could very well be that your healing is linked to your forgiveness, and instead of walking in the healing God has provided, you are walking around sick and angry like Naaman. Our emotions must never be exalted above God’s Word. The answer that God gives may not be pleasing to your ears, but it will bring health to your body.
So how did Naaman get healed?
Fortunately for Naaman, he eventually listened to his servants who were with him. They reasoned with him saying:
“My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” (2 Kings 5:13)
Thankfully, Naaman listened to his wise servants. He humbled himself and submitted to the Word of the Lord. He threw off his own beliefs, emotions, thoughts and reasoning, obeyed the Word of God by dipping seven times in the Jordan, and, guess what? He was completely healed!
The more you study the Word of God, you will find that healing is deeply connected to the obedience of God’s Word. May we always embrace the Word of the Lord and experience His mighty healing power in our lives.
Remember:
He humbled himself and submitted to the Word of the Lord. He threw off his own beliefs, emotions, thoughts and reasoning, obeyed the Word of God by dipping seven times in the Jordan, and, guess what? He was completely healed!
Challenge: Memorize
“He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” (Psalm 107:20)
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, I thank You for providing me with an answer to my situation. Help me never to reject Your answer because it was not what I expected to hear. Help me, Lord, to increasingly recognize that You are perfect and good and all that You do is perfect and good. Today, Lord, I acknowledge my lowly state before You. Your ways and Your thoughts are higher than my own, and I humbly submit to You. I place my trust in You, Lord, and I thank You for all that You have done in my life so far. All these things I pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen
Excerpt From
21 Days To Divine Healing
Deon O. Thomas
This material is protected by copyright.
Comentários