Humility

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… 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? …  So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan… and his flesh was restored… and he was clean.
(2 Kings 5:9-14, ESV)

More often than not – the way in which God resolves our issues or answers our prayers is not the way in which we imagine.  But if we want the resolution, the answer or the deliverance, we simply must humble ourselves and obey God's plan.  This is what Naaman had to do.  In 2 Kings 5, we discover Naaman to be a man of position and power but with one problem – pride.  Many people would say differently - they would say that his leprosy was the problem.  However, the issue of leprosy was resolved as soon as the prophet Elisha gave him the solution – “go and wash in the Jordan seven times”.  After that, the real issue was revealed - his pride.  Because of his pride, Naaman was offended that he was greeted by Elisha's servants and not by Elisha himself.  He was then further offended when he was told by washing in a dirty river will cure his leprosy, and not by some grand display, as he had expected. Proverbs 13:10 now comes to mind.  It says, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice” (NIV).  Although his pride had compelled him to walk away in anger, he had enough humility within to actually listen to the wise counsel of his servants.  It was only when he got over himself, by humbling himself, that he was able to go and wash himself and be delivered from his leprosy.

Today consider that pride will tell you that you have the right to be offended, but as C.S. Lewis states, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less”.  So what’s more important?  Your right to be offended or the resolution, the answer, or the deliverance you seek?