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[5.29.08]
How many times have we prayed so hard for something, with an idea of what the answer would look like, only to be disappointed, confused by or blinded to the actual answer?
There is a very important message for today in the story of a man named Naaman (2 Kings 5). Naaman was a great military leader, a man of high esteem and a man of great importance. But like so many great people, he had a flaw. He had leprosy and needed a miracle healing.
With endorsements from two kings, he traveled to the prophet Elisha. Thinking he would have an immediate audience with Elisha, Naaman was frustrated to be greeted and instructed by Elisha's servant. More troubling was the instruction the servant gave him. Elisha's servant instructed Naaman to dip himself in the Jordan River... 7 times. Naaman's first thought was that the Jordan River was not the cleanest body of water... and definitely not fit for a great man. At first, he refused to follow the command because it was not the way that he expected his healing would come. He was actually insulted by the lack of Elisha's attention and the absurdity of the instruction passed down from the servant. His disappointment nearly caused him to miss the healing touch from God. Finally, after being convinced by his servant, Naaman followed through with the prescribed process and was completely healed.
Naaman was looking for "the answer according to Naaman" instead of trusting that God would answer his prayer and meet his need in whatever way that God, in his omnipotence, saw fit.
I am also reminded of another story. When Jesus entered Jerusalem as the "King of the Jews", He wasn't seated on a chariot or carried on men's shoulders. He wasn't dressed in fancy robes or wearing a crown of jewels. He didn't come with arrogance or demanding a kingly respect. He came gently, riding on a young donkey (Matthew 21:5). It wasn't how the people expected a king to enter the city, but it was what God had ordained.
My purpose for recounting these two stories is to remind you that God works in mysterious ways... and just because we don't understand or necessarily agree with the method doesn't mean that it isn't God at work. As long as I can remember, we have been praying for revival, praying that God would perform signs and wonders, heal the sick, raise the dead and save the lost. But, when it happens, it might not look how we think it will look or feel how we think it might feel. God might use a method other than what we think He should use or a person who doesn't quite fit our particular mold. It doesn't mean that it isn't God... it just means that we are quite possibly limiting Him with our preconceived notions.
I, for one, don't want to miss what God is doing because I am too hung up on appearances, style differences, unorthodox methods or any other trivial reason. I just want God and His powerful life changing presence in my life and this world... no matter the package.
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