A Great Disappointment
And he brought the letter to the King of Israel. And it came to pass,
when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes.
2 Kings 5:6a,7
Read 2 Kings 5:1-7
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to
trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes (Ps. 118:8, 9). Naaman
did exactly the opposite; he sought healing from Joram, the king of Israel.
How did the king react? This sovereign panicked and in his distress he tore
his clothing. He saw this demand as a ploy to pick a fight and start a war.
Now Naaman was farther from receiving a cure than ever. The bottom had
fallen out; he no longer had any hope of being healed. He might as well
have forgotten about it and returned to his own land and home. That’s what
happens when a person does not listen to the Word of God and follow His
instructions. Humanly speaking, This plan was in danger of being stymied.
But the Lord God of Israel did not allow this to happen. He had sent that
young girl from the land of Israel to Damascus to direct Naaman to the Lord,
and the Lord never performs half a job; He fulfills His will through all kinds
of difficulties. Naaman would certainly be healed by the Lord. The Lord
continues to carry out His will today, to ensure that His Kingdom will come.
Thought: Is it a disadvantage when you are faced with disappointments
in life?
Psalter 400: 2,3 (based on Psalm 146)
Put no confidence in princes, Nor for help on man depend;
He shall die, to dust returning, And his purposes shall end.
Happy is the man that chooses Israel’s God to be his aid;
He is blessed whose hope of blessing, On the Lord his God is stayed.
