The Needy

2 Kings 5:13
“My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

Naaman was a mighty commander of Syria, but he was also a leper. When he received the news that the prophet Elisha could heal him, he went straight to his door. Naaman was given a message. “Go wash in the Jordan seven times, and you will be restored and made clean.”

Naaman became infuriated at the way by which he was commanded to be healed. It was not customary.

God commands our healing through His Son, and only through His Son. But men say in their hearts, “It doesn’t seem great enough.”

“Repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

It just isn’t customary. Where does the knowledge of man come into play? Where will mans stength be shown? Any badges of honor? Where is the credit for resisting the bad all these years? Surely there are other ways.

Only those who are spiritually impoverished receive the riches of God’s grace.

James 4:6 God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Isa 66:2 But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.

Ps 40:17 But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me.

Ps 69:33 For the Lord hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners.

Ps 72:13 He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy.

Ps 107:41 Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock.

By the prompting of Naaman’s aides he went to the Jordan. He walked away from that water a changed man. “Like the flesh of a little child, he was clean.” 2King 5:14 He was immediately made strong, faithful, grateful, he tore down his idles, and his heart was the Lord’s.

You have heard it said, “God helps those who help themselves.” That is not what the bible says. God helps the helpless.