by Michael Duduit Finding God's Restoring Touch 2 Kings 5:1-14

Leadership does not insulate us from tragedy. No matter how exalted one's position or how great one's wealth, the challenges of life still make an impact.

This biblical story describes a prominent military leader of a great power of his day, who has been stricken with leprosy. One of his wife's servants was an Israelite girl who had been taken captive, and she tells about Elisha, the prophet who could cure Naaman.

As Naaman sets off to seek a cure, he discovers there is only one way to find God's restoring touch.

Status Does Not Bring God's Restoring Touch

Naaman was a military leader of one of the region's most powerful nations — a definite candidate for Who's Who in the World. He was among the elite of his day — but that did not protect him from the devastating disease of leprosy.

How many in our own day worship at the altar of status — seeking position, prestige, influence at all costs? Yet status is a fleeting thing, bringing momentary pleasure and then it is gone, without providing eternal satisfaction.

The fact that you are a leader will not bring the solution to the problems of life.

Wealth Does Not Bring God's Restoring Touch

"Money can't buy happiness," says the cartoon character, "but it sure can buy lots of other neat things!" In a materialistic culture like ours, where affluence is considered virtually synonymous with satisfaction, it's easy to thing money and possessions are the prime goal of life.

Naaman certainly didn't lack for material wealth. As he departed for Israel, he carried along quite a treasure (v. 5) — an amount worth tens of thousands of dollars, apparently to pay for his cure. The reference to ten changes of clothes had a similar purpose; it was common to use beautiful clothing as a gift to honor a guest or someone you wish to impress. So Naaman was prepared to buy his cure. But Naaman went home with his money, because he learned that God's restoring touch cannot be purchased.

How many in our own day have learned the same thing? Kurt Cobain was a young man of great wealth and influence because of his success as a recording and concert star — but instead of leading to satisfaction, it led to drugs and ultimately suicide. Wealth and status do not bring God's restoring touch.

Expectations Do Not Bring God's Restoring Touch

One of the most interesting things about this story is that Naaman had no question in his mind that Elisha was capable of healing his leprosy. Of course, what he expected was for the prophet to produce a great spectacle — he anticipated some "shock and awe"! Maybe he thought there should be lightning and thunder, or at least some fire and smoke! In fact, when Elisha didn't perform to Naaman's expectations, the Syrian was furious (v. 11).

Have you ever been disappointed because God didn't act in a way that fit your expectations? You thought He should do something, stop something, produce something in a certain way — and it didn't happen. That can be terribly frustrating.

Naaman had come all this way — important man that he was — prepared to pay big money for this healing, and he expected something to show for his trouble. And what did this foolish prophet ask him to do? Go to the filthy Jordan River and dip himself in it seven times! How absurd! It did not fit his expectations at all.

Then Naaman's servant offers a subtle rebuke: "Master, if Elisha had asked you to build a bridge over the Jordan or a castle next to it, you wouldn't have hesitated for a minute. Why do you refuse, then, this simple command?" Naaman thought about that, realized it was true, and acted on Elisha's counsel. That was when he discovered . . .

Faithful Obedience Brings God's Restoring Touch

It was a simple act of obedience, but what a result! The destructive presence of leprosy was washed away, and Naaman's skin was just like that of a little child — fresh, clean and whole. His faithful obedience had produced God's restoring touch, and it transformed his life.

It's often not the big things that give us trouble, but the little things — the day by day acts of faithful obedience to Christ — that make such a transforming difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Are you ready to be obedient to Christ in those little things today?

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Michael Duduit is President/CEO of American Ministry Resources LLC, and editor of LeaderLinks. You can contact him at michael@leaderlinks.com.