Legacy: God Honors the Heart by Vance K. JacksonНамуна

Seven Times

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

At first, Naaman was offended. He thought his breakthrough was coming one way, and it came another way. Your breakthrough is predicated upon your ability to submit to God. Naaman was wroth. Naaman declared, “Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.” 2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Naaman said there must be a better way to get my breakthrough. There must be a better way to get my healing. Jordan’s River wasn’t the clearest. Jordan wasn’t the cleanest. In fact, Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus—were far cleaner and clearer.

When it’s time to obey God’s Command, sometimes the Way doesn’t make sense—at first. Sometimes things aren’t clean and clear—at first. Sometimes when you’re walking by faith—the steps may not make sense. You may even think that you “see” a better way, but your way is not greater than God’s Way.

“And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” 2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Naaman was wroth, but Naaman listened. Naaman was a leper, his skin was hardened on the outside—but his heart was soft on the inside. His outer appearance was not a reflection of his heart. Naaman could have allowed pride to stop him from receiving his healing, but Naaman humbled himself and listened.

“Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan. Naaman obeyed the Word of the Lord through Elisha and he submitted to the word of his servants. Naaman was a Commander and he led executives and warriors. He could have “pulled rank,” and all of those subjected to his authority would have had to fall in line—but Naaman listened. Naaman submitted to the advice and counsel of those whom he led.