January 31 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Far away in Damascus, the capital city of Syria, lived a man who had great wealth. He lived in a beautiful palace and owned horses and chariots. He had many servants, great riches and a high position in the king’s court. His name was Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army. Although he had great riches, Naaman was not happy. He had leprosy and there were no doctors in the country capable of providing healing. The gods in the temples did not respond to his sacrifices and his prayers. Undoubtedly many of his servants felt sorry for him but they couldn’t assist him either.

One of Naaman’s maidservants notices her master’s plight and sets out to help him. The girl had been taken captive from the land of Israel. She directs Naaman to a true prophet of the Lord in Israel. With a letter from the king of Syria, as well as gold and silver and other precious gifts, Naaman travels to Samaria. He goes to the king of Israel, seeking the one who can heal him. Yet what a contrast between the witness of the maid and the conduct of the king of Israel! The king does not know enough to send Naaman to the man of God. He says, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life?” When Elisha hears about it he sends the king a message: “Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” You can imagine that Naaman must have been excited about the prospect of being healed. But the anticipation and excitement is soon followed by deep disappointment. Elisha does not come out and meet him but sends out his servant who tells Naaman to go bathe himself seven times in the river Jordan. That upsets Naaman. He leaves in a rage. Naaman does not want to be abased or humbled. Would he not look foolish, a general of Syria washing himself in an Israelite river? Why doesn’t the prophet heal him and send him on his way?

Naaman will see the grace of the Lord. Before this can happen he needs to be stripped of his pride and haughtiness. Naaman must learn to depend on the Lord’s mercy to receive true healing. The healing and salvation which comes from the Lord cannot be paid for with earthly goods. Naaman must submit his life to the word of God which comes to him via the mouth of the prophet. That’s true for all times. Healing is granted to those who seek God’s grace in Christ.