“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” – Ephesians 2:8
Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14;6:1-7
Can guilty sinners such as you and I be saved? We might as well ask, can an incurable leper be healed or an iron axe head float! Naaman was a great general who had given victory to Syria, but he suffered from the miserable, and ultimately fatal, disease of leprosy. By God’s grace an Israelite girl, captured by the Syrians, in the service of Naaman’s wife, pointed to his cure: the prophet Elisha, in Samaria (Israel). So Naaman goes to Elisha’s house. But expecting special treatment by Elisha, himself, he was told by a messenger to wash in the Jordan seven times to be healed. Naaman turns away in a rage. This was an insult to his dignity! The rivers of Damascus are better than any of the waters of Israel. In effect, he says, “If I want to take a bath, why don’t I just go there? Since they’re far more beautiful and impressive, why not?” For one reason only: because salvation is found in Israel alone! In fact, it’s found in Christ and the power of His cross alone!
To many, like Naaman, God’s prescription for salvation is degrading. And no wonder! For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Persuaded to believe the word of God’s prophet, Naaman was healed. And like a lost axe head, his life was restored. So may we hear and believe God’s ultimate prophet, Jesus Christ, and be restored today!
Suggestions for prayer
Pray that we might not only hear the Word of Christ, our Chief Prophet, but like the captive Israelite girl, cause others to hear His life giving Word, as well.
Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
