Grace in the Jordan: Learning to Trust God’s Ways

We keep expecting God to fulfill his purposes for our lives according to our plans, yet God has a funny way of consistently doing things his way instead of our way! Consider the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. It really is a remarkable story that Naaman could not have anticipated and for a while did not want to participate in. God has a way of doing what we could never imagine.

Let’s begin by listing the characters in the story. First, we find a mighty warrior and commander of Syria’s army who the king of Syria reveres. Next, we learn of a little girl from Israel who had been carried off from one of Naaman’s victories and, as a result, worked for Naaman’s wife. Then add the king of Syria, the king of Israel, and the prophet Elisha. 

Naaman had contracted leprosy and, therefore, was ceremonially unclean. We are not told how long or what level of physical problems his illness had created. One day, the young girl made a comment to her mistress, Naaman’s wife, “Would that my Lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” Naaman’s wife apparently told Naaman who then told his king. 

The king of Syria sent a letter along with money and gifts to the king of Israel by way of Naaman and asked that the king cure Naaman. The king of Israel was shocked by the request for many reasons, not least of which that he was not God and had no power or ability to heal diseases. 

When the news of the king of Israel’s agitation about Naaman’s request reached Elisha, he went to the king and asked, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” The king consented for Naaman to see Elisha. 

Naaman, flanked by horses and chariots, showed up at Elisha’s door, and Elisha sent Naaman a simple and clear instruction: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was insulted by this instruction. He was expecting a meeting with Elisha and hopefully some healing from the prophet, but to be sent to a river that wasn’t as clean as the rivers back home seemed ridiculous. I wonder how many times God uses the ridiculous to get our attention! 

Naaman’s servants intervened and encouraged their master to do whatever Elisha had told him to do and followed up with a question that revealed their faith in Elisha’s God: “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” 

Finally, Naaman did what Elisha told him to do and dipped himself in the Jordan river seven times, and according to the word of the prophet, his flesh was restored, and his body was cleaned of all disease. 

So, what can we learn from this story? God is consistent all throughout scripture that those who cling to power, status, pride, and wealth will never experience the grace and mercy of God. He always works through those who are willing to be humble and obedient. God is not impressed by anyone’s title or assumed importance. He is always willing and available to meet us in our moments of desperation. Our job is simple, and James wrote to believers centuries later with the simple instructions we are to follow: 

“Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:5-10) 

Today, Father, we come to you confessing that like Naaman, we sometimes have remained stuck in our pride instead of humbly surrendering to you. Forgive us and meet us today in our moment of need. Thank you for your grace and mercy that flows from your presence every day. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Copied with permission from Dean Collins. Picture copied from Point Magazine.