Scripture:
2 Kings 5:15-17 ESV
[15] 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; so accept now a present from your servant.” [16] But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. [17] Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord.
Observation:
Naaman was a man of means at the beginning of this story. As he was preparing to go see the man of GOD (Elisha), he gathered together what he thought was more than enough to pay for the healing that he was requesting. Only to become upset when the healing didn’t take place the way he thought it should. Mad about it, he began to ride away in his Chariot until his servant talked some sense into him, saying just do it and submit to what the man of GOD said. If it was hard to do, you would have done it without question, but because it does not meet what you think it should, you are going to walk away without what you came for. Naaman saw the flaw and followed the request from Elisha and received the healing he came for, which brought him to believe I. GOD, the father. Returning to Elisha to pay for his salvation (in a sense). He found that his money was not good enough. In fact, all the money in the world could not pay for what he had just received, and Elisha knew it. The confusion from Naaman’s mouth was more than enough. The words of Naaman were that there was no other GOD. The GOS is Israel, IS IT. I could only imagine the smile that was put on the face of Elisha. I could hear his heart saying… thank you, FATHER… that’s one more for the kingdom and one with influence. I can’t wait to see what you do through him when payment is offered. I could see Elisha saying, “Really… you don’t know that the payment has already been made. Your salvation is sealed. That way, more than good enough.
Application:
How often do we turn away from what we need because it doesn’t come the way we expect it to? I’m going to tell you that I have almost done the same thing. Salvation is a gift, and a gift can not be paid for. It’s something freely given. How would you feel if every Christmas gift you gave the person whom you gave it to came to you and said.. here’s $47.50? I looked online and saw what you paid for the hoodie and shirt and wanted to cover the cost. Now we all know it doesn’t work that way. We give on Christmas because HE gave first. We don’t want payment for what we give because we give from our hearts, and payment would be an insult. Now, just think about that. The gift of salvation can not be paid for. It’s free now. Share it with others. Use the influence GOD has given you to bring others to Christ. There is no way to pay for what costs HIM HIS life.
Prayer:
Oh heavenly, Father. What a gift it is that you have given. Let us never take it for granted or think that by some means we can earn it. As I always pray and will continue to say, NONE OF THIS IS ABOUT US. YOU GAVE A GIFT, and a gift can not be paid for. Now that being said, let our lives reflect the fact that we have received that gift. Allow our lepercy to be healed so that others will come to you. This life is just not about what we can do but what can be done by you. What an amazing GOD you are. Father, my request this morning is if someone is reading this that has not come to you. Let this be the day. Help them to see the gift you offer. How priceless it really is and that it is truly a gift. It is the atonement that can not be atoned for. There is no other payment required. It is finished. You completed the work on the cross. It is in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.
P.S.
If someone is reading this who does not know Jesus as their personal LORD and savior, please feel free to call me or text me so we can fix that. Let’s all go to heaven together!!!