DEVOTIONAL

There are a lot of events that we could focus on in the passage as the story continues in 2 Kings. The thread that ties things together for me is how God shows His power of restoration. We journey through three major events that reiterate God is the One true God. As God heals skin diseased with leprosy, provides abundant food and resources in a famished land, and lavishes property and wealth for a woman, the confident in Yahweh builds.

In the first miracle in 2 Kings 5, God restores the skin of a leper in Syria to show He is God to the foreigner. We are introduced to Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army that is described as a man of valor, faithful and devoted to his king and country. He sounds like a great dude. Then one small detail is thrown in at the end of verse 1, “but he was a leper.” And everyone takes one step back. Naaman is really great, but he is diseased. He is unclean. There is one major thing that holds Naaman back. Leprosy. And the good news is there is one God powerful to break the stronghold over Naaman to set him free. Naaman travels from Syria to Israel where Elisha advises Naaman to wash himself in the Jordan River seven times to be healed. Easy enough, let’s go. The reaction of Naaman surprises me in 2 Kings 5:11-12. He is doubtful and appalled at Elisha. I did not know the Jordan River was viewed “lesser than” until I read this part of the passage. Naaman reminds Elisha other rivers are better. How will the Jordan River have the power to heal? Oh, sweet Naaman. The power of healing is not in the river, but in the God who controls the river. Even though Naaman doubts, he jumps in the Jordan River and washes himself seven times. And we see God restore. As Naaman looks down at his hands and rubs his smooth arms that were covered in leprosy for years, he testifies in 2 Kings 5:15, “there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.” God uses what is “less than” to restore his life.

Maybe the leprosy parallels to unconfessed sin. As leprosy eats away at the skin, spreads, and changes the appearance of the skin, the same happens with unconfessed sin. It eats away at my conscience, spreads to more hidden sin, and definitely changes how I act and hardens my heart. What is the cure? Jump in the water. Invite God to wash you clean. Watch God use what is “less than” to restore you. A lot of times like Naaman, I put my trust in the “thing” like friendships, achievement, marriage to have the power to heal me. And I miss seeing God. This is the beauty of the gospel. God repeatedly takes what is “less than” and performs a miracle.

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel;

Q: What holds you back from a closer relationship with God? Is God asking you to trust Him with something in your life?

The next chapters are interesting in 2 Kings 6-7. God brings famine over Samaria. Again, names of kings are not included in the events except for Ben-hadad king of Syria. As you read it, notice the three characters mentioned that have different responses to God’s restoration. The four lepers in 2 Kings 7:3 take the risk of being killed by going into Syria in search for food. When the lepers strike gold in Syria, they initially indulge and do not share. With a little food in their bellies, the lepers realize this good news must be shared with the rest of Israel dying of famine (2 Kings 7:9). Once the king of Israel hears about everything the Syrians left in their camp, he thinks it is a trap. The king is skeptical and advises a few men go into Syria as a test to know whether it is a trap or a good thing (2 Kings 7:12-13). Who is the other character? The captain back in 2 Kings 7:2 that mocks the possibility of God to restore in this famine. After Elisha prophesies that flour and barley will be plentiful (sold at cheap rates) within 24 hours, the captain immediately scoffs at the possibility. The captain responds practical, the king responds strategic, the lepers respond open minded. My hope is to respond like the lepers whenever the impossible is in front of me. I want to have confidence in God to restore in circumstances even though I cannot see how He will do it. When I read the responses of the king and captain, I can hear my voice repeating their words. Doubtful and skeptical of the power of God. What’s the solution? Spend more time with God. Read more in the Bible of how God keeps healing, providing, protecting, and rescuing. Give praise to God when He answers prayers you repeat with desperation, tears, and weak knees.

Q: When you face the impossible, how do you respond to God?

To wrap up today, we revisit the Shunammite woman from 2 Kings 4. I love this part of her story that is shared with us in 2 Kings 8:1-6. The woman hears a command from God through Elisha to leave all of her wealth and travel to a foreign land to avoid a famine. The woman is obedient. After seven years, the woman returns to receive full restoration from the king of Israel and then some. God is gracious to lavish more than we can imagine. I wish the response of the woman was included. One more verse tacked on to the story. However, maybe God did not include it because we have a pretty good idea her response. We have experienced her response. A heart bursting of gratitude in those moments where we surrender everything of value to God, let go, and He is incredibly kind to overwhelm us with greater things.

God reminds me in this passage He is better. The way God restores is a hundred times better. What is my part in it? Jump in the water. Take the leap of faith. Surrender everything of value. And let God show off His power to restore.