October 5 But He Was a Leper

2 Kings 5:1 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. 

I thought of summarizing Elisha's Miracle Number 10 with a short summary and lesson from this chapter on faith - listen to the Lord! But I'm feeling compelled to take this miracle and this chapter is small steps. I'm hoping we all can learn together of the several ways this account of Naaman's healing can impact our lives. I encourage you to read through this chapter several times to see how it speaks to you. There will be ample time to do so as my next teaching to you will be around October 26.

           There are two things I'd like you to see in this verse. First, God once again will use his healing, life-giving power on Gentiles - non-Israelites. It is a common theme in the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. God moves men and women into his story to demonstrate he is life. God wants more than the Jews to know about him. He wants the world to know who he is. After all, the whole world, all of mankind is God's creation, isn't it? Jesus offered his saving healings to the Gentiles as well. Truly this is a picture of the gospel's eternal healing pouring forth into the nations.

           Second, Naaman "was a mighty man of valor." But something was dreadfully wrong with him. He was a leper. He was an untouchable. He had an incurable disease. Sickness was upon him. In this we see this clear truth: Naaman needed help.

           How are you as Naaman? You can answer that question by discerning where you need help. I know you do in some aspect of your life. All of us have positive things in our lives. All of us have negative things. Some of us have incurable disabilities or diseases. Some of us have such issues as unforgiveness, pride, impatience and doubt holding us down.

           As we study this chapter, we will see it will be difficult for Naaman to respond to the help he is offered. He had everything going for him, but he was a leper. What is the "but" in your life? What will you do to encounter it, to deal with it and to give it to God?

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see the "but" in my life. Help me to trust your words to receive the healing that will bring me closer to you.