Week 27: Pride or Healing
Today’s Text: 2 Kings 1-5
Key Verse: 2 Kings 5:1-14
In the passage I have selected for today, we find the story of the prophet Elisha and Naaman, a great commander of the army of the king of Aram. The scripture sets the scene: “The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy.” The story continues that word got to him about a great “man of God” – Elisha – who might heal him. Well, to make a long story short, Naaman makes his way to Elisha for help.
Now things get interesting.
When the great “warrior” arrives at Elisha’s house – Elisha sends word out to him – via messenger – to go wash in the Jordan and he would be healed.
Naaman isn’t impressed with Elisha’s prescription for healing. In fact, he is enraged that Elisha doesn’t even come out to speak to him.
Eventually, he is convinced to do what Elisha has advised – and is healed.
There’s more to the relationship between Naaman and Elisha, but let’s stop here for now.
It strikes me that we all, at times, are tempted to be like the great Naaman.
Our pride gets in the way of our healing.
We are given spiritual counsel – perhaps from a friend, a pastor, our own family members, the scripture itself – and in our pride – we refuse to hear it.
Naaman, at first said, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot and cure the leprosy!”
Did you catch it? The “I thought that for me…” part? That’s pride talking.
Only when is he is willing to set that pride aside and simply do what the holy man of God has said to do – does he find healing – does he find life.
Again, there is deep spiritual counsel for us all, I think.
We should never let our pride get in the way of listening, hearing, receiving healing from God – even if it comes in an unexpected way.
It’s all about choice: pride or healing.
Which shall it be?
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