We should come before God with humble spirit
The Bible teaches that we all must come to God with humble attitude. An Old Testament but timely story in the Bible reveals this truth in 2 Kings 5:1-14.
There was a little Israelite slave girl, a worshipper of Jehovah, who served in the elegant household of Naaman, Capitan of the Syrian army. He was one of the King Banhadad’s most influential commanders. The Israelite girl was his wife’s handmaiden.
Aristocratic, successful, brave and handsome, Naaman seemed to have it all. Yet a life altering event had changed his life.
He had leprosy a dreaded and deadly disease. After consulting with the best physicians in Syria, Naaman gave up hope for cure and realized his impending death.
Seeing the sorrow of her mistress, the Israelite girl who had served Naaman’s family so well, suggested to her mistress that Naaman go see the prophet of God, Elisha in Samaria.
They listened to her. Since both Naaman and his wife were desperate for a cure, they told the King and he wrote a letter to the King of Israel as an introduction for Naaman. When Naaman reached the King of Israel, the King of Israel thought the whole ordeal was a plot or an effort to start a squabble between the two countries. “Am I God? Who am I to heal?” he said. In other words, why did they ask me?
But Elisha the prophet got word and sent for Naaman. What an impressive sight that must have been. There is Naaman in soldier regalia, prancing chariots, cohorts of soldiers around him, standing before the humble little quarters of Elisha. No doubt Naaman expected the old prophet Elisha to rush out and give him a royal welcome — fall at his feet, express his honor in just seeing him and then instantly heal him.
But Elisha ignored what most would have done who was to receive someone as such a significant character as Naaman. He sent his servant to give Naaman a simple command. “Wash in the River Jordan seven times to be healed.”
Naaman exploded in anger. “The muddy Jordan River!” Naaman took it as an insult! “Why can’t I wash in the Abana or Pharpar Rivers in Damascus?” The Bible then says he went off in a rage.
But Naaman would soon see that he had to humble himself to receive the cure.
In a last attempt to change his condition, he listened to his servants and decided to obey the command of Elisha. The Bible says that Naaman washed in the Jordan and on the seventh time, when he came of out of the water, “his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (v.14)
Naaman was considered a mighty man of the day, a man with influence, rank and status. Yet, does it matter to the God of the entire universe, the owner of everything, the giver of breath and life, about our social status, wealth or power here on earth?
We may think we are good enough. We may believe that our earthly possessions and prominence make a difference with God. We may assume that what we give monetarily to church and good causes God look at us in a different way. We may reason that since we may have attained some earthly significance, God views us in the same light that others view us.
The story of Naaman disputes our earthly assumptions. The God that made the universe, that made us, sees us all the same. We are all in need of Him and we all must come the same way — with a humble spirit.
Judy Brandon is a Clovis resident. Contact her at:
cbrandon@plateautel.net
