Seven Times Down
2 Kings 5:10, 14, “And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean… 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.”
Naaman was an influential Syrian commander and he suffered from leprosy. A captive Israelite girl suggested to Naaman that he visit the prophet Elisha. Naaman’s pride resists the simplicity of Elisha’s instruction (dip seven times in the Jordan River), but when he simply, humbly, and completely obeyed, he was healed. The story reveals God’s mercy to Gentiles and the role of humble, complete obedience in receiving divine blessing.
The servant girl’s faith and Elisha’s word highlight how God uses unlikely instruments. Faith obeys commands even when they seem beneath dignity, or not what one wants or expected. Naaman’s progression from pride to humble obedience is the key to healing. God’s ways humble the proud and exalts His power and goodness.
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, and sanctification requires the daily breaking of pride through joyful, humble obedience. Habits are formed through repetition. We improve in the things we repeatedly do. When God’s commands appear simple, obey. Do the same when they are not what you thought. To establish a lifestyle of obedience to God’s Word demands that we develop holy habits like confessing and forsaking sin, meaningful membership in a sound church, serving God through that church, and that involved serving others, practicing forgiveness and encouraging others.
Prayer: Lord, give me the humility to obey simple commands, the courage to accept help from unlikely sources, and the grace to trust You for healing. For the glory and in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Today’s devotion has been written by Bro. Joshua Soliz, a member of Rodgers Baptist Church who is a LIFE Group teacher and regular preacher here.