So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” –
2 Kings 5:8
When General Naaman reported the message of his maid to the king of Syria, the king did what many of us would have done. As a king, he related to kings. He sent a delegation with gold, silver and expensive clothing to the king of Israel. Accompanying all the gifts was a letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel. The letter demanded that the king of Israel heal Naaman; ‘I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy’. The king of Israel interpreted the contents of the letter as an act of provocation from Syria. This was his retort “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.”2 Kings 5:8
Many times when we are looking for help, we go to the people we consider most high-powered. We assume that high titles and lofty positions are the best paths to find help. How mistaken we can be.
The king of Israel got to his wit’s end. He was king alright, but he was also aware of his limitations. In frustration, he tore his clothes; a sign of grave distress. Have you ever had people expect help from you that is way beyond you? We all have experiences in our lives when we are faced with impossible mandates and deadlines. What do you do in such situations? Scream, curse, get angry, run to hide? Do you see yourself as the final authority so much so that when you can’t find the solution, you feel there can be no solution? That was the attitude of the king of Israel. He assumed that if he couldn’t heal Naaman, then no one else could.
Thankfully, news of the message got to Elisha. He was the one Naaman’s maid referenced in her testimony. The request for Naaman’s healing was wrongly addressed to the king of Israel, but the real recipient was Elisha. He knew how to solve the problem that Naaman, the king of Syria and the king of Israel could not solve. God always has a solution to your situation when you get to your wit’s end.
Elisha asked for Naaman to be brought to him, and boldly proclaimed that there would be an answer to Naaman’s problem.
Today, the same God who used Elisha is still with us. Elisha is dead, but the God who used him is still alive. We can go to Him with our struggles. After we have screamed and cried our hearts out, we must be sober and turn our hearts to the Lord. Our Lord is able.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that when I don’t know what to do, You know what to do. Manifest Your glory through my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!Scripture Reading:
2 Kings 5:1-19
CrossoverWithOtabil
YearOfExcellence
