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 Some
men who are held in high esteem because of position, ability or
wealth can conceive of serving God only by doing those things
deemed to be “great deeds” — they think BIG. However, “great
deeds” and “great men” may well be man’s labels and do
not necessarily reflect God’s views.
Naaman
was a great man. a captain of the Syrian army but all his
majesty and power could not conquer leprosy. He sought cleansing
from the God of Israel by going to the king of the land, but the
king was perplexed and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make
alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his
leprosy?” (2 Ki. 5:7). He wanted no part of the deal. The
Great God is an infrequent guest in kings’ palaces and
non-resident in majestic houses of worship in which men glory.
That’s not great, Naaman, you went to the wrong place!
Naaman
waited outside Elisha’s house for the prophet to “come out,
call upon his God and wave his hand over the leprosy” but word
came from Elisha’s servant — “Go and wash in the Jordan
seven times.., and thou shalt be clean,” (v. 10). “Abanah
and Pharpar are
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BETTER than all the rivers in Israel, I’ll
wash in them.” That’s not great, Naaman — you missed the
point and made yourself the judge of how to cleanse leprosy.
Today’s Naamans proudly reject God’s simple conditions for
cleansing sin and tell HIM how THEY want to be saved.
The
ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold and ten
changes of raiment are proof of desire to do “great deeds”
and dipping in the muddy Jordan wasn’t the right price. “If
the prophet had bid you do some great thing you would have done
it,” (v. 13). Then why not do the small task commanded of God?
Naaman dipped himself seven times and was cleansed by God. Now
you understand, Naaman — true greatness is humbly submitting
to God’s way.
Men
seek great ways to serve God and teachers become “great
preachers” and Jesus says, “For he that is least among you
all, the same is great, (Lk. 9:48). Covet the day when the back
of the head is seen more than the life of the chin. ——Jim R.
Everett
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