-Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)
The records of scripture we are reading today include the story of Naaman and his leprosy. This record is familiar to many, but never loses relevance for us as we read. The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and is able to separate the physical world we live in from the spiritual truth that surrounds this world.
What is important to you? Then what is important to God?
2 Kings 5:1-8(NLT) The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. 5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” 8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”
A prophet is one who speaks for God. He or she speaks out the truths that God shows them to say to the people in that moment of time and place. These truths are seldom predictions of the future, which is the popular viewpoint of many. But rather most of prophecy is speaking the firmly established truths of the Word of God applied at the right place, right time.
There are also many people that think that there are no more prophets today. This is a reaction I think to the claims of religions such as Mormonism or Islam, for example, that base their authority on the speaking of a self-proclaimed prophet. It is easier to just say that there are no prophets today after the 1st century of the church then to see that there were many false prophets then and many false prophets now.
It is not for the prophet’s own power or position that words of knowledge and wisdom are given to the prophet, but for the building up of the body of Christ. The words spoken by representatives of God in a true relationship with our Father God will be the words that are rightly spoken. This will be in a way that builds confidence in God and Christ, not tearing people down from condemnation. There may be a firm correction given by the prophet to the people but it will build up, not tear down.
Proverbs 25:11(NKJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
2 Kings 5 :9-15(NLT) So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! 15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.
The words of a true prophet are established to be true and faithful to our God. God gives us the words of truth and when we speak on His behalf to the powers of this world God will give those words the power to do His good and intent. We are not responsible for the content of God’s Word, but we are responsible for the telling of it to others. God’s message, our speech.
2 Corinthians 4:1-2(NLT) Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
What are the truths that God has given you to speak and reveal to others?
When you speak for God are you fulfilling the ministry of a prophet? (Hmmm…)
2 Corinthians 4:5-7(NLT) You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
Whose power are you empowered with today?
What is the light (knowledge) that you can shine into the darkness of this world?
Why did God choose you?
Our message is not about ourselves but about the God who has saved us. What is the purpose of the saving grace of God for your life if not to serve Him and speak for Him? It isn’t religious rules and statues that God calls us to speak but the message of that saving grace of God which you have received.
2 Corinthians 4:13-18(NLT) But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory…..18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever
Fix your eyes upon Jesus, look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim….
Reflect On Questions above in bold font.
Prayer
Father God, we pray to You today to empower our lives with Your Word and wisdom. The power that we have is from You alone, and we can only speak truth with Your words. Give us the confidence to speak for You, and Your love to see others as You do. Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ for all Your care and help in our time of need.
Seek Grow Love 