“Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! For he would cure him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3
Dear Ones:
Faith is a very unusual thing. For one thing, it can be just as real and effective in the heart of a child as in that of the prophet of God. In the second book of kings, we read of Naaman, the captain of the Syrian army at that time. He had leprosy, and was destined to die a most miserable death, for there was no cure for leprosy at that time. At one point, during the excursions of Naaman into Israel, he brought back a little girl to be a servant, or “little maid,” for his wife. He must have treated her well, for the little girl certainly was sympathetic concerning Naaman’s physical condition. One day she would say to her mistress, “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! For he would cure him of his leprosy.” (She was referring to Elisha) Here is a little captive girl, who has genuine faith in the faithfulness of God, according to the testimony of the prophet Elisha. How can this be?
Paul would write to the Roman believers concerning faith, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) What is he revealing to us concerning the “origin” of faith, and how it comes about to be in the heart, regardless of the age of the believer? We know from Scripture that the Lord Jesus is the Author and Finisher of faith. We also know that faith is a “gift of God.” However, it must be seen and grasped that God gives faith always according to truth, always according to His word. It is as an individual comes to learn the truth of Christ, and as Christ by His Spirit takes that truth, and reveals it to the heart, that faith is born. In essence, God speaks; we respond by believing it. This is why faith is never an issue of age, culture, intellect, or any “human” contrivance. It is a gift given to the seeking heart, the heart that is willing to see and grasp God according to the truth, the truth that Christ speaks to the heart. This is why faith is so precious, so valuable, of such great worth. It comes from heaven, from God in Christ, by the Spirit, according to the absolute truth as it is IN JESUS.
What about the choice to believe or not? Elisha gave to Naaman a directive from God, to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River…with the promise, that if he did so, he would be healed of his leprosy. Immediately, there loomed before the eyes of Naaman a contradiction to faith, an obstacle, a “reasonable” objection: “Behold, I thought, he (Elisah) will surely come out to me…” The second objection had to do with the Jordan, as a river that was not “better” than other rivers in Syria. This might have been due to the fact that the Jordan River is not a clear river. The issue of choosing to believe has its meaning in this: God puts before us His character and nature, His sovereign power and love, providing for us the grace to choose HIM by what He says, above all that we see, feel, or think. Naaman, at the behest of his servants, overcame the obstacles of his pride and “self-reliance,” and obeyed the “word of the Lord.” The result was that he was healed, the very fruit of his true faith.
Dear Father, teach us to believe, specifically to believe according to Thy word. Give us grace NEVER to minimize Your word, for in it you have revealed the truth of Thyself, and Your ways. Strengthen our hearts to overcome all obstacles to faith, without and within, for you have said, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad