Grace When I Am Terminal
March 8, 2008
This is the last of the series by Pastor James McDonald. The text he used is found in 2 Kings 5:1-14.
This is the story of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria. He was a great man, but was a leper. Towards the end of the story you will see how he experienced God’s wonderful grace and was healed.
Leprosy - an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, peripheral nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. It is a terminal condition.
Sin is likened to leprosy. In Ezekiel 18:20, it says, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Furthermore, Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
These are the obstacles that Naaman experienced during his sickness:
1. It can’t be this hopeless. 2 Kings 5:1.
- He was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. He felt hopeless inspite of all the fame and success.
2. It can’t be this hard. 2 Kings 5:2-7.
- He thought the process of him being healed was easy. He realized it was hard.
3. It can’t be this humbling. 2 Kings 5:8-12.
- Pride kept him from doing what he was instructed to do by the prophet Elisha. The same pride keeps us from coming to the Lord and doing what He wants us to do.
4. It can’t be this simple. 2 Kings 5:13-14.
- Verse 14 says, “So he (Naaman) went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
As soon as Naaman obeyed, he experienced God’s grace to its fullness. He was healed. He was made clean.
Whatever you are going through right now, there is power in believing the abundant grace and love that our Lord Jesus so freely gives. He is everything that you and I need.“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
May God’s Word bless you today and everyday.
You are loved.
Comments
Got something to share?