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Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14
By Dr. Joseph W. Henderson
Sunday, January 3, 2010
KingdomView, Vol. II, Issue 1
June 6, 1944, D-Day, allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France to begin Operation Overlord, the allied offensive to begin the process of defeating Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Germany. Hitler in his sinister hubris sought world domination. The American forces’ sectors for landing were Utah, Sword, and Omaha beach. Five thousand allied ships landed some 175,000 allied troops that day on the beaches of Normandy. The key to success for the amphibious operation would hinge on the allied forces’ ability to breakout from their established beachheads. The German army’s task was to prevent that breakout and drive the allied forces back into the sea. CNLT, our theme for 2010 is: “Break out of the box: get radical for Christ,” (Hebrews 12:28).
Some Christians are boxed in or penned down on spiritual beachheads by our adversary and have not experienced a true breakout in many areas of their lives. They’re penned downed with troubled and failing marriages, substance abuse, negative attitudes, lack of peace and worry, financial troubles, and the list can go on and on. I am confident in Christ that we can experience a spiritual breakout in these areas and move inland from the beach landings of life to enjoy fruitful victorious Christian living. Victorious Christian living does not mean the absence of challenges or the trials of life ¾ Scripture does not advocate such a position (Job 14:1; 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). However, I do believe Scripture encourages and empowers us to live above our circumstances instead of beneath them (Romans 8:36-38; Philippians 4:13).
In today’s passage, we learn about a Syrian general named Naaman. The Bible describes him as a renowned military leader and valiant warrior who had the favor and respect of his king Ben-hadad, II. But he also had two problems that required a breakout: he was a leper, and he needed an attitude adjustment (2 Kings 5:1g). God would provide his breakout through a miraculous deliverance from leprosy. It is good to know that “God can break you out of any desperate situation.” Our selected text unfolds with four observations:
1. Naaman’s DISEASE, 2 Kings 5:1.
2. Naaman’s DETERMINATION, 2 Kings 5:2-5.
3. Naaman’s DETAINMENT, 2 Kings 5:6-8.
4. Naaman’s DISPLEASURE, 2 Kings 5: 9-13, and
5. Naaman’s DELIVERANCE, 2 King 5:14.
Naaman suffered from physical leprosy. My concern today is for Christians who are suffering from what I would term, “Spiritual leprosy.” Instead of a deadly skin disease, the Christian may face a potentially debilitating spiritual disease that requires Divine intervention for deliverance. Leprosy of the soul could take the form of a myriad of besetting sins (Hebrews 12:1) like those mentioned by the apostle Paul in Romans 1:28-32. But there is some good news, a cure, from this heinous condition. For Naaman, it was to dip (wash) seven times in the Jordan River. If Naaman obeys, then his healing is assured according to the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:10). However, he has to overcome his second issue too: a prideful, arrogant attitude (2 Kings 5:1, 11-13). Naaman overcomes his reluctance, obeys the prophet, and is instantly healed (2 Kings 5:14). Just like Naaman, we Christians, who might be suffering from spiritual leprosy need to dip, too! Our Jordan River is the Word of God which can wash the soul clean of spiritual leprosy (John 6:63 and Titus 3:5). Therefore, the next time the flesh, Satan, or an individual seeks to ensnare your soul with spiritual leprosy ... Just take a dip!
P.S. Naaman’s attitude was adjusted and healed too! (2 Kings 5:15-19)
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