Title Thinking Being
Contents
2 Kings 5:8-14
When God created, He created them to be conceivable. Also, just as a person's body contains a soul, He made it possible to contain thoughts in the mind. A person's fate, sale, and life depend on what kind of thoughts he puts in his heart. A person who thinks positively and positively can succeed if he puts good thoughts into it. But a passive and negative person is bound to fail.
The man named Naaman, the commander of the Armed Forces of the Syrian nation mentioned in today's text, was leper for the rest of his life due to his wrong thinking.
So who is Naaman? At that time, he was the commander of the army of the country of Syria, which was more powerful than the Israel in which the prophet Elisha lived. He was also a great warrior who was highly trusted by the king. He had power, fame, and wealth. But he lost health. Although he had a career, leprosy left him suffering and suffering from day to day. At that time, I heard from an Israeli girl who was a maid in the house that the prophet Elisha was a powerful servant of God. This news was hope and good news for him. Without delay, with the permission of the king, he went to the prophet Elisha, who lived in the city of Samaria in Israel, with much wealth. General Naaman thought that the prophet Elisha would politely meet him and lay his hands on him, but he did not open the door and sent someone to go to the Jordan River and wash himself seven times. It's crazy. He felt resentful.
Dear saints, How could a sick person feel resentful for having to listen to the doctor?
The reason is that
(1) Because of his position (v. 5).
Verse 1 says, “He is the commander of the army.” However, we must realize that our status in the world is nothing in the sight of God. If you put your face, social status, or knowledge first, it is difficult to receive God's grace. Before God, we must be naive like a child. It is important to be humble, to serve, to be humble. Only then will God be gracious and exalted.
(2) Because he was trusted by the king (verse 3).
In the old days, kings exercised absolute authority. I thought that I would be treated with utmost respect from the prophet as a person who was trusted by the king and served close to the king. However, he had forgotten for a moment that he had come to Samaria not to be treated, but to be healed. Christians must not forget the essence. The trust of the king is important, but for the saints, it is very important to receive God's approval. When we come before God to worship, our social status or church office must be given down. The office of a deacon or a priest does not worship God, but the person who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus worships God.
⑶ Because his kingdom (Aram) was stronger than Israel (verse 7).
Being strong is the best in the world. People crouch in front of the other person, even if they are not great, if they are rich or the boss. I don't know what kind of strength it will give me. However, we must remember the words of the Lord, “Neither by might nor by might, but by my spirit.” Because Aram was stronger than Israel, Naaman was arrogant, but that strong nation did not heal him. By Elisha, the messenger of God, he received God's favor. Looking at verse 11 of today's text, Naaman was angry and wanted to go back to his homeland. “There is a river more beautiful than the Jordan River in my homeland.” That's right. However, the important thing is not that the river is clean so that lepers are cleansed, but whether or not they obey. The word obedience in the Old Testament is used the same as the meaning of faith in the New Testament. It doesn't matter what kind of water it is, it's about faith. So Naaman, who accepted the servant's command to obey, washed himself seven times in the Jordan River and was cleansed.
Therefore, those who wish to receive favor from God
1) You must let go of your resentment.
2) We must throw away our arrogant thoughts.
3) We must throw away our wrong thoughts.
Dear saints, The main character of today's text, who had no choice but to live as a leper for the rest of his life because he gave up his wrong thoughts and changed his mind, was healed and enjoyed the blessing of being able to confess that “Only God is the true God in the heavens and the heavens.” But because of a mistaken idea, someone has taken on the leprosy instead.