My husband Frank and Maxpoint Ministries (www.Maxpoint.org) have developed an incredible Bible Study and discipleship tool that can be found at www.24-7Discipleship.com. It incorporates video, a daily Bible Study and Scripture application, personal journal, along with a quote for the day and prayer. It's a systematic way to help grow your faith, all based through the internet. If you haven't checked it out, please do so - it's free! It doesn't matter where you are in your Spiritual walk, whether you've not yet made a commitment to the Lord or whether you've been a Christian a long time, this website is designed for you. Some of the direction for my blogs is taken from the Scripture application found on the site, and this one, specifically, uses the first five key points from the story of Naaman and Elisha. The Lord really hit these home with me as I studied it in more depth, and I wanted to share them in my blog today.
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In 2 Kings 5, I see some fascinating truths I can apply to my own life. The chapter is short -- take some time to read through it this morning. It's one of those stories you heard over and over in Sunday School growing up, but one with full application as an adult, too.
This is the story of a man named Naaman who was the commander of an army of the King of Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had a big problem -- leprosy. One of Naaman's band of soldiers had captured a Jewish girl to be the servant to Naaman's wife. Her name isn't even mentioned in the Bible, yet she played a pivotal role in the story. She spoke up, with complete bravery, and said, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy!" Word got to Naaman about this statement, as well as the King of Aram. The King prepared a letter and sent Naaman to the King of Israel, bearing gifts in exchange for healing. The King of Israel nearly turned him away, telling him that he was not God. He thought they were trying to start a war because he would not be able to heal him. However, when Elisha the prophet heard about it, he told the king of Israel to send Naaman to him.
"Go wash yourself in the Jordan seven times, and you will be healed," Elisha told Naaman. Now, Naaman was a great war hero. He was outraged when Elisha treated him like an ordinary guy. He thought at least Elisha would wave his hand over him and heal him, or even if Elisha told him to go wash in a great river...but to dip seven times in the Jordan? Naaman was too proud for that. Naaman may have left in a rage, but it didn't take long for his servants to speak truth into his life. In the end, Naaman humbled himself and washed in the Jordan river. After the seventh time up, his skin was like that of a young boy! He tried to give Elisha the gifts that he had brought, but Elisha told him, "As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing."
What a great story - yes? But it doesn't end there. There's a side note that we often don't focus on. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha said to himself that they were too easy on Naaman. He ran back after Naaman and told him, "My master sent me to ask for money and clothes." Of course, Naaman, being ever so grateful for what the God of Israel had just done for him, gave it to him. When Elisha saw Gehazi, he said, "Where have you been?" Gehazi knew he was caught in the act, but he still tried to lie his way out of it, "Your servant didn't go anywhere," he said. But Elisha was no fool. He told Gehazi that "Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, white as snow.
What truths can I learn from this Old Testament story today? There are many, but here's just a few...
1. God was working in and through Naaman's life, long before he knew it.
Naaman was a proud man. He struggled with this terrible disease, and it was the thorn in his flesh. From my understanding of leprosy, you were usually cast out of the city if you had it. That alone gives some insight into the kind of respect Naaman had within the city of Aram. He not only was not cast out of the city, but he also was a venerable wealthy leader. His wife had servants...and not just any servant, one special girl that God would use to change Naaman's life forever.
2. God used a young servant girl to impact Naaman's life.
How would this story have changed if that young Jewish girl would never have spoken up for God? She had complete faith that God would use the prophet Elisha to heal Naaman. Surely, the servant girl could have been punished for her faith, yet she spoke with boldness. We really don't have a story to read about without this supporting character. It makes me think -- How many times do I miss an opportunity to speak up for God? How many times does a story go untold because I didn't follow through and speak up for the One I love and believe in?
3. Elisha pro-actively sought ministry.
When the King of Israel tore his clothes and became so upset at the request to heal Naaman, Elisha could have said nothing. However, that's not what happened. Elisha heard about it, and took action. How many times do I miss ministry opportunity because I hear about it second-hand and think there's nothing more I can do? More times than I could count, and perhaps many more times than I am even aware. I hear about a friend's friend who is sick with cancer. I hear about a co-worker's family member going through a rough time. No, I am not a prophet like Elisha that I can heal them or fix their situation, but I do know a God who can. Maybe it's just sending them a note or email, giving them encouragement that God is in control. Maybe it's calling them on the phone and letting them know I'm praying for them. Maybe it's offering money to people I don't even know. But, Elisha's story tells me that I need to pro-actively seek ministry opportunities. What impact for the kingdom could take place if I followed through with just an inkling of ministry in all the sad situations I hear about every day? Endless.
4. Elisha allowed Naaman to exercise his own faith.
This is paramount. Naaman could have said, "Go away from me, and you're healed." Yet, Naaman had to have some skin in the game. It would have taken no faith at all to walk away being healed, except the faith to approach the prophet...and even then, his full intention was to buy him off with gifts in exchange for healing! But Naaman, full of pride and self will, could not accept the simple cure of faith. Sometimes people react to God's offer of forgiveness in the same way. Somehow just BELIEVING isn't significant enough. Yet, all we have to do is humbly accept God's mercy, like Naaman. When we humble ourselves, tell God that we cannot do it on our own, that we need Him and his free gift of salvation, we are Spiritually healed, parallel to Naaman's physical healing.
5. Our purpose in ministry should always be to glorify God and not enrich ourselves.
Elisha was steadfast in his decision - "I will not accept a thing!" Would it have been wrong to accept the gifts Naaman brought? That's a tough question, one I'm not sure of the answer. But to Elisha, he felt it was wrong. He didn't minister to Naaman to get something back, he ministered because it was the right thing to do. His motives were pure. How many times do we make decisions with a 'back story' in our brain, how if I do this, then this might happen? Or if I make this contact, then I may be able to gain some notoriety about this other matter? Some of that is just plain being smart about networking, but at the same time, it's important to analyze my motives when doing ministry. Pure ministry takes place when I expect nothing in return.
Recently my husband and I spoke at a marriage retreat. Because of the situation, we decided ahead of time that we would not accept payment for the retreat. We committed to it, and we knew that was what God wanted us to do. When they tried to give us the check, we handed it back to them. Little did we know that what we thought was going to be maybe $100 or $150 turned into $1000. We're thankful we found out about the amount after we refused to accept the gift. The decision to stick with how God was leading us may have been a little harder. The BIble says a labor is worthy of their hire, but at the same time, we need to pray about our motives in ministry. Elisha had none, except that God would be honored above everything else. True service is motivated by love and devotion to God and does not seek personal gain. It's a good reminder to me to check my motives. I can't serve God and money (Matthew 6:24)
6. Be sure your sins will find you out.
The story of Gehazi is one I could spend a lot of time on. He saw a perfect opportunity to get rich and he could not believe Elisha passed it by. It was like Elisha had the winning lottery ticket and wouldn't turn it in. So what did he do? He ran after Naaman. 1.) He willingly accepted the money that had been offered to someone else. 2) He wrongly implied that the money could be exchanged for God's free gift of healing and mercy. 3) He lied, and tried to cover up his motives for accepting the money. 4) He got caught in the act and paid for it severely. Not only was he struck with leprosy, but the Bible says that him and all his descendants FOREVER would struggle with this terrible disease. What a legacy. Gehazi's story makes me think about the decision I am making and what kind of legacy I am leaving for my family. Are they going to look back at me and point to one whimsical split decision that ruined my life and theirs, too? Wow, it really makes me think about every decision I make and how it can impact my family to come.
I wonder, which character in this story do I most resemble? Am I like the servant girl, unafraid to tell people about MY GOD? Am I like Naaman, a proud person, almost able to pass the biggest opportunity of my life because it seemed to menial for me? Am I like Elisha, willing to engage in ministry opportunity, no matter what it is? Or am I like Gehazi, with selfish ambition and a heart not leaning toward the Lord.
My prayer this morning is that the Lord would cause me to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity He brings into my life and that He would enable me to see how my life fits into the bigger picture of His eternal plan. I'm so thankful that the Old Testament is still valuable and applicable to our lives today! Sometimes I forget to look for the personal application in the stories, and thanks to 24-7Discipleship.com, I didn't miss it this morning!
---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com