SURRENDER YOUR STUBBORNNESS
So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 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.” 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! 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. 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!’” 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! 2 Kings 5:9-14 (NLT)
We’ve all dealt with someone who is incredibly stubborn. They’re difficult to work with because they leave little to no room for a different way of thinking. Before we climb up on our high horses, I’m sure you and I have been that person sometimes. While remaining steadfast is at times admirable, devolving into blind stubbornness is often detrimental to our relational health.
In the story above, stubbornness was nearly detrimental to Naaman’s physical health as well. A revered general in the Aramean army, he has traveled from afar to see the prophet, Elisha. He’s seeking a cure for his leprosy, which in those days had no cure. He has come with rich gifts to bestow upon the prophet Elisha in exchange for healing. But when Naaman makes it to Elisha’s house, he’s instantly offended. First, Elisha sends a messenger out to Naaman instead of coming out himself. And his message is perceived as humiliating—go bathe seven times in the Jordan River.
Naaman expected more. He wanted some flashy, miraculous event with pomp and circumstance. He thinks that washing in the dirty Jordan River is beneath him. After all, he could have just taken a bath back home! And in his anger and stubbornness, he almost turns away. Thank goodness he had officers to help him see what he was missing. In the end, he humbles himself and is cured.
What is your stubbornness causing you to miss out on? Are you so entrenched in a way of thinking or acting that you might be missing what God has for you? Consider the words of the Lord in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT): “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
APPLICATION: Ask God to open your eyes to where you’ve been missing what He’s doing. Spend time thanking Him for His goodness, sovereignty and power in your life. Then read Philippians 2:5-11 on humility.
PRAYER: God, thank You for how You guide my life. Help me not to miss what You’re doing because of my stubbornness. You are the sovereign Lord; help me to remember that I am not. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?