22 AUGUST

THE MUDDY JORDAN RIVER (2)

“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!

(2 Kings 5:13, NIV)

Can you imagine how insulted Naaman must have felt to be instructed by an Israeli prophet to go to their muddy River Jordan to dip seven times? In reaction, he simply gave instructions for his chariots to head home.

As all the servants took their positions to prepare for the homeward journey, Joel, the head driver of the chariots looked up to the heavens and muttered an inner cry for mercy from Jehovah. As he watched his proud master leave Elisha’s house in a rage, he remembered Naaman’s kindness to him and all other servants. As a very young boy in Israel he had heard his parents tell many stories of healing from God, using Prophet Elisha. How could he allow his master walk away from his healing, knowing that even though he was a valiant and successful soldier, he could die a leper? If he was in Israel, he would have been an outcast, living outside the city gates.

Courageously, Joel ran quickly to his master. Lying flat on the rocky sand, he cried, “My valiant master, my father, please hear me out. I have heard of many miracles from this prophet. A woman who had no child for many years received a son, as he prophesied; a child was raised from the dead, a…..” All the other servants joined him, crying too. Naaman calmed down: “Take me to the Jordan river but I will not dip in that dirty water seven times.” Once he dipped and each of the servants chanted, “My father is a great warrior!” Twice he dipped and the servants chanted, “My father defeated the mighty Assyria!” So, they went on till the seventh time.

Wow, what a great transformation. His flesh had become clean like that of a baby. What an awesome God! “Now I know that there is no God in the entire world, except in Israel,” shouted Naaman. Are we sometimes too timid, fearful or detached to intervene and save people from themselves and situations that could cause them harm?

ACTION: Ponder on people that you should help but have not made the effort. Decide to take action, as guided by God’s Spirit.

PRAYER: Lord, you have not given me the spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and a sound mind. Please grant me grace to use your power in me effectively