Strange Methods, Future Glories

II Kings 5:1-14

1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

Verse 10 tells us that Elisha sent a messenger and instructed Naaman to go and wash in the Jordan River. Naaman got mad at the method chosen for him because Jordan was muddy and he was considered a great man. Naaman replied, “Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?” But in verse 14, we find that when Naaman submitted himself to the method, the Bible says that his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

We all endure trials and suffer affliction regardless of our status in life. Trees must be pruned in order to become more fruitful and when God prunes us, we should realize that there will be a gain coming from it. Romans 8:18 tells us that our present suffering worketh toward future glories which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for good to them that love God and who are called according to his purpose.

Like Naaman, we may not always like the method. In fact, more times than not, this will be the case. But if we will stay the course, and submit to His will, we will see the work of God in our lives come to fruition. He makes no mistakes. Naaman was instructed to wash seven times, the number seven representing perfection in God’s order of things. If Naaman had stopped short, his leprosy would have remained.

Everything in life has a process. Take for example the simple baking of a cake. There are certain ingredients that must be used and each ingredient is different, but all are necessary to achieve the desired end result. Each ingredient must be properly measured, put into the right container and cooked at the right temperature for the right amount of time. And the most important part of the process is the chef, for it is he or she who controls all of this.

God is the Master Chef. He looks at the desired end result in our lives and he mixes in those things that we need. Sometimes sunshine, sometimes the dark clouds of discouragement, tragedy, or suffering. Sometimes we are on the mountain and sometimes in the valley. Sometimes we feel the gentle rain of refreshing in our soul and other times we feel the harshness of a cold winter’s blast. But all are needful for us.

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that for everything there is a purpose and a season and that He makes everything beautiful in His time. If you are struggling today and you have asked God, Why? Be content in knowing that there is a why and that God is working things out in you. Don’t lose hope in your trial. Don’t question the process. Only submit. Place your life in His will and see what He will do.

Isaiah 55:8-9: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

by K. B. Nichols