PJP2 PROLOG 160609 PROLOG Focus - 2 Kings 5:9-14....

Job 13:15 a-b (ESV/emphasis added/jaj)...."Though He slay me, I Will HOPE IN Him"....

PJP2 PROLOG POST 160609 - 2 Kings 5:9-14 (ESV/emphasis added/jaj)...."So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house.  And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go And Wash in the Jordan Seven Times, And your flesh Shall Be Restored, and you Shall Be Clean.'  BUT Naaman was angry and went away, saying, 'Behold, I thought that he Would Surely Come Out to me And Stand And Call Upon The Name of The Lord his God, And Wave his hand Over the place And Cure the leper.  Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?  Could I Not Wash in them and Be Clean'.  So he turned and went away in a rage.  BUT his servants came near and said to him, 'My father, It Is A GREAT WORD the prophet has Spoken to you; Will you NOT Do it?  Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?'  So Naaman went down to the Jordan 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."....

What an amazing and fascinating account.  I can just see General Naaman and his entourage charging up to Elisha's house.  There sits Naaman, upon his night-black stallion, with both rider and horse decked-out in brilliant shining armor.  Behind Naaman is his 'escorts', they equally adorned in armor et al that reflects the morning sun.  Banners snapping in the breeze, dust revealing this mass of military humanity, closing in on Elisha's home.  Then there the are, poised outside God's Prophet's house, awaiting the grand entrance of Elisah, this Famed man of YAHWEH.....

Everyone's holding their breath to see how this interaction will unfold...

Wait a minute.....Elisha the Prophet sends out a Messenger.

General Naaman, somewhat miffed by this apparent slight towards his personage, lets it pass and listens to what Elisha's Messenger relays.....

I can almost see The Messenger...."Uh, General Naaman, Sir.....well my master....yeah, that would be Elisha the Prophet of God, he, uh, he said for me to tell you....."To be cleansed, go take a dip and wash yourself SEVEN times in the nearby Jordan River.....remember that's SEVEN times."  That's it, Sir - thanks, have a great day."

Well easy to see why Naaman's initial reaction is one of RAGE!  How ridiculous!  "Go wash yourself SEVEN times".....And in the Jordan no less.....I mean can ANYthing good come out of Nazareth?  "Oh", Naaman thinks to himself, "I thought this Great Elisha Dude would make a big showy production of 'Calling Upon his God', WAVE his hands dramatically over my diseased skin and POOF, cloud of smoke, thunder and lightening and BABAAM I am healed."

Nope, go take a bath in the Jordan River SEVEN times back to back!

Isn't it amazing how our Good Lord, if we are willing to at least LISTEN, sends us His Own Messenger to facilitate our reasoning and discernment of His Truth?

Thank The Lord Naaman stopped, looked and listened to what his servants shared.

The point I hear The Holy Spirit Making with me this morning is JUST THAT.....(a) Be Careful with one's pre-conceptions of How, When, Where our Lord Jesus IS going to work within our circumstances; (b) TRUST when God Gives us His Guidance that indeed, regardless of how we may think (in man's way) we would expect God to Work.....Remember He Is In Control and God Does Know Best; (c) FAITH in Him, NOT His Method, Him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

So, my Prayer for us today would be - O Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, Father God, Thank You for Your Mercy, Love, Light and Healing Grace.  Lord Jesus Continue to Teach us, even when we cop the ' Naaman Attitude', Help us Stop, Look and Listen to Your Word and Truth.  Holy Spirit, Help us and Empower us to swallow our Pride and Know, even if it be washing SEVEN Times in the River Jordan, You Are With us every step of Your Way.  Father God, May we Reflect Your Healing of our own 'leprosy' brought about by our own sinfulness.  Lord Jesus, Thank You and May we Ever Share Your Presence in our Lives to those who Do Not Yet Know You as Lord.  In Your Blessed and Holy Name we Pray....Amen/Amen....jaj