The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But although Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). Even though God was doing great things through Naaman, even though Naaman was a might warrior, there was still something in his life that he was suffering with – something that he needed God to heal in order to be whole.
Naaman was sent to Elisha for healing and Elisha sent a messenger out to Naaman with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” But Naaman became angry because this was not the way he wanted to be healed. He wanted Elisha to wave his hand over Naaman and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal him (5:10-11).
Naaman’s officers reasoned with him and Naaman went down to the muddy waters of the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, just as the man of God had instructed him. His skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child and he was healed! – (5:13-14)
This story reminds me of our own stubborn behavior. We want God to heal us or to make us whole but we have a preconceived idea of how He should do that. What God desires is obedience and complete surrender to whatever He tells us to do – for a healing or cleansing His way.
Let’s dip into the words of King David as he asked God to cleanse him from his unrighteousness after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Let’s allow Psalm 51 to wash over us in complete surrender to the God who heals and makes us whole again. Perhaps God is doing mighty things in your life and through your life, but you need Him today to remind you that you have been forgiven and He has washed you clean.
Dip #1: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Dip #2: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Dip #3: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Against you and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
Dip #4: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Oh give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Dip #5: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit with within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Dip #6: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.
Dip #7: Create in me a clean heart, O God. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repent heart, O God.
“Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again (2 Kings 5:19).