In Touch - September 2, 2005

Friday September 2, 2005

Rewards of Obedience

2 KINGS 5

 

When the great warrior Naaman dipped himself seven times in the Jordan River's muddy water, the Lord's response was swift and merciful. The snowy patches of disease common to lepers were replaced by healthy skin. (v. 14) Confronted with such obvious evidence of God's supremacy, Naaman vowed to worship Him alone.

 

Need often precedes an awakening to God's nature as the Provider—Naaman's desire for healing surpassed his disbelief and pride, causing him to seek a cure from the God of conquered Israel. In turn, the Lord used Naaman's desire for physical regeneration to awaken his spirit.

 

Obedience sometimes requires action that seems impractical or unreasonable. Naaman could see no rational reason to wash in the Jordan River. If the river had healing powers, scores of lepers would have been rushing into it every day. But obedience cannot be based upon what other people are doing; instead, we must wholeheartedly obey the commands God has given to us.

 

Suppose that Naaman had given up in exasperation and stopped after only six dips. Because partial obedience is the same thing as disobedience, he would have died a leprous man and a lost sinner. Believers often want to know ahead of time how and why God's instructions will alter their circumstances. However, trust requires that we proceed based on what we already know, namely, that our Father does everything for the good of His followers. In turn, He rewards our obedience with answered prayer and continued blessings.

 

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