Have you ever desperately wanted something from God? Did you ever make any promises to Him so that He would come through for you?
Naaman was a highly respected army commander (2 Kings 5:1). His king thought so highly of him that he sent letters of introduction to the king of Israel asking that the prophet Elisha come and heal Naaman of leprosy (2 Kings 5:5-6). There was no cure for the disease at that time, so Naaman expected to pay a great price and to experience great sacrifice for healing to occur. But—through Elisha—that was not God’s way. The prophet simply told Naaman to dip himself “seven times in the Jordan River” (Exodus 13:10). No gifts or great actions required!
Even today, the idea of getting something for nothing doesn’t sit well with most of us. We often find it hard simply to believe by faith. Sometimes even mature believers in Jesus try to earn God’s blessing by doing good or working harder to receive His favor. “Naaman became angry” when he was instructed to do something as simple as taking a plunge in a river (Exodus 13:11). The wisdom of his servants, who had talked him into it, is a lesson to us all (Exodus 13:13). Naaman’s obedience led to his cure (Exodus 13:14).
Faith and obedience are tied together. Jesus told a woman who washed His feet, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). Abraham believed in God and “the LORD counted him as righteous” (Genesis 15:6). Paul summed it up this way: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8).
We simply need to believe and obey, as Naaman did. Our salvation isn’t based on our great deeds, but on a great God who saves us when we believe in Jesus His Son.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 27:1-26
More:
Read Hebrews 11:1-31 and reflect on how the people listed in the passage are commended for their belief in God.
Next:
Have you tried to earn the blessing of God? Stop trying. Instead, simply allow Him to be the gracious and merciful God He already is! Why are belief and obedience both easy and hard?
ghchong on November 16, 2014 at 4:27 am
Perhaps relevant to the third paragraph only, from the message version or paraphrase bible in Proverbs 22, please allow me to pick 3 for display purposes:
Prov 22:1 (MSG) A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich, a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
Prov 22:7 (MSG) The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.
Prov 22:15 (MSG) Young people are prone to foolishness and fads, the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.
A bonus verse, which I perceive may happen now for my own situation:
Prov 24:17-18 (MSG) Don’t laugh when your enemy falls; don’t crow over his collapse.
God MIGHT SEE, and become very provoked, and then take pity on his plight.
Gary Shultz on November 16, 2014 at 7:15 am
Belief, faith, trust, maybe even some would add hope, it must come before obedience, I strongly agree. There must be a base for our actions and obedience is often one difficult action for a human bean. From our chat the other day, to have faith that produces godly action takes the “S” word(s) surrender and submit. Lovely words actually, when we understand how great the One is we get to join ranks with. It’s good to know where we stand and faith is the place because He built it.
ghchong on November 16, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Out of point: Deut 32:5-7