When God Breaks ThroughSample

Day 5 — God Breaks Through Pride

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man, highly regarded by his master and a valiant soldier. But he had leprosy.

Naaman’s wife had a young Israelite servant girl who had been taken captive and was now working for them. This servant girl, knowing the power of the living God and how He worked through His prophets, suggested that Naaman go see the prophet Elisha, who could heal him of his leprosy.

Hearing this, Naaman went to his master, received permission, and was sent with a letter to the king of Israel asking that he be healed. The king was so troubled that he tore his robes, knowing that healing was something only God could do. When Elisha heard this, he sent word that Naaman should come to him so that he would know there was a prophet in Israel.

Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house expecting something great. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger telling him to go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and he would be restored and cleansed.

Naaman responded with anger. The instruction was offensive to him. It was too simple. Too beneath him. He expected Elisha to come out, call on the name of the Lord, and wave his hand over the place. At the very least, he thought he would be sent to cleaner, more honorable rivers. This was not how he thought God would move. He turned away in rage. He came with high expectations and assumed his healing would require nothing from him beyond showing up.

Then his servants came near and reasoned with him. They reminded him that if he was willing to do something difficult, how much more should he be willing to do something simple. In that moment, Naaman had a choice: hold on to his pride or humble himself in obedience. To step into the Jordan meant laying down his status, his expectations, and even his dignity.

So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had told him. And his flesh was restored like that of a young child, and he was clean.

He returned to Elisha and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel” (v. 15, NIV).

Naaman’s pride and expectations almost cost him his healing. He did not struggle with God’s ability. He struggled with God’s way. His healing was not waiting on God’s power. It was waiting on his humility.

Yet he humbled himself, and God broke through and healed him. He did not just restore his body but awakened his faith as well.

Often God is willing, but are we? How many times do we resist because His way does not look like what we expected? Our breakthrough is on the other side of our obedience, if only we stop resisting.

Reflection:

Have you lost hope that God can still heal or restore? Are your expectations keeping you from obedience? Remember the Lord, Jehovah Rapha. Humble yourself before Him.