Down by the River

Mark Dunagan
08/09/15 - Sunday Morning

Down by the River

The Bible says that Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man (2 Kings 5:1). But he was a leper. Maybe you know someone like that. They might be the owner of the corporation for which you work. Perhaps someone who is often on television who lives up the street: well-known and deemed exceptionally talented, successful and esteemed, yet accompanied by a black cloud hanging over an otherwise outwardly successful life, such as health problems, personal problems or family problems. I love that while Naaman is a grand man, the person who really gets everything started in this chapter is an unnamed, humble servant girl who fearlessly opens her mouth and without embarrassment confidently talks about the power of the God she serves (2 Kings 5:3). 

• She had been taken from her family and homeland by strangers, even still, she genuinely cared about the strangers she now served. Do we care about all people like that? Am I concerned enough about the problems of the great people around me to speak up for their benefit?
• This bold girl reminds me of the little boy that came over one day and played with the children of new neighbors. He innocently asked the parents of the new friends where they went to church. The parents said they did not attend. And in disbelief he exclaimed, “Why don’t you go to church?” That simple conversation led to the eventual conversion of both parents. May we all be as unguarded when it comes to such important, potential life-changing conversations.

God Helps Unbelievers

“Because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram” (2 Kings 5:1). You read that verse right.  Here is a non-Israelite and non-believer in the true God and yet God is helping and using him. This is in reality true of all non-Christians. God has blessed them with many physical blessings (Luke 6:35). Paul reminded one audience that the one true God had given them many fruitful seasons in the past – even though they had not been serving Him (Acts 14:17). Too often a successful non-Christian might say, “I don’t serve God or worship with God's family, yet I have managed to accomplish quite a lot. Obviously I don’t really need God’s help, seeing thus far I've done great without it”. God has been helping such a person all along by giving them good health, a bright mind, attentive parents, opportunities, open doors, providential mentors, a favorable economic climate, good teachers, and so on – all blessings designed to create gratitude in their heart, leading to repentance and desire to give back.

The Believing Unbelievers

When Naaman hears the news from the little servant girl, he acts upon it, and so does the king that he serves (2 Kings 5:4-5). In fact, the king of Aram is willing to put ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten changes of clothes behind such a statement (5:5), still, when the message comes to God’s supposed people, the reaction is one of complete unbelief (2 Kings 5:6-7). 

Application

Allow me to share a brief story I heard in a Gary Smalley recording about a young man who was taking a final exam in math. He showed up at the exam a little late. On the desk was a sheet of paper with about four math problems to solve and then two problems were written on the board. He worked the equations on the paper, but the ones on the board stumped him. He asked for extra time from the teacher and it was granted. He solved one of the problems on the board and could not solve the other and handed in his work. He left feeling defeated. How was he ever going to become a math teacher if he could not pass such exams? That one unsolved problem was really going to affect his grades. Dejected he came to class ready to see a very low score on his exam. The teacher greeted him with enthusiasm and said, “You were late to the exam and I forgot to tell you that the problems on the board were examples of unsolvable math problems that had perplexed mathematicians for ages – and you solved one of them!” The lesson is that we can accomplish great things when unburdened by what others say is impossible. Recently I saw a comment that noted that fear is faith – but faith in the negative. Fear strongly believes that "it can’t be done". I really feel for the non-Christians in our culture. On the one hand they have been told from kindergarten that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to – and yet at the same time they have been given so many excuses that prevent deep and lasting change in the right direction.

Refuse to Believe

• A sin will plague you for the rest of your life.
• Once addicted – always addicted.
• Sin is a disease that you will always have, it will beat you often, and forsaking it is truly impossible.
• It is impossible to live a godly life in today’s culture.
• People today do not want the gospel.

Instead Believe

• All things are possible to God: Genesis 18:14
• Anyone who gives themselves completely to God can overcome anything: Philippians 4:13
• It is quite possible to walk away from sinful addictions: 1 Cor. 6:11
• The gospel can change even the most hardened the sinner: 1 Tim.1:13-15

The Unbelieving King

Here is a role model of what NOT to be. This king is cynical and completely misses a true prophet of God working and preaching in his own kingdom (2 Kings 5:7). He is completely blind to the power of God that is being exercised right under his nose. He also thinks that everything depends upon him – as if God does not have any power. I don’t want to be the church member who hears a verse from Scripture and says, “That won’t work”. I don’t want to be ignoring or rebelling against verses because I have convinced myself that they don’t apply to me, are unworkable, or there are so many exceptions to them that they can be discarded from my memory.

Don’t Miss the Simple Solution

Albert Einstein said, “When the solution is simple, God is answering”. When given the very simple cure Naaman is not impressed (2 Kings 5:8-12), so much so, in fact, that he leaves in a rage. What motivation for you and I never to downplay the importance of God’s simple and clear steps that lead to salvation: hearing the gospel, faith, repentance, confession, baptism and faithfulness; likewise, the very wise structure of the local congregation, its worship, work and mission.  Have you noticed how many problems actually do have very simple solutions, most often: repentance. Some say that there are no simple solutions to complex problems – I would agree – if we are looking for a solution apart from God. Think about it. There are few problems that would not be prevented by heeding God's instructions to:

• Stop sinning and being selfish.
• Think about someone other than yourself.
• Commit yourself fully to God – love Him with all your heart.
• Be grateful and count your blessings, realizing God has treated us much better than we deserve.
• Treat your mate with respect and honor.
• Live in such a way that you are ready to meet God at any moment.
• Tell people that you love them and remember to express appreciation.
• Communicate continually with God: Pray and read your Bible every day – worship faithfully and be a spiritual encouragement to those around you.
• Stop complaining and do the right thing for the right reasons.

The Smart Servants

In this chapter all these unnamed servants are the heroes, for they demonstrate faith and wisdom (2 Kings 5:13). No matter your station in life, you will have opportunities to be heroic. Let's be ready!

When the Rage Ends

Naaman’s anger is gone after he simply obeys the command of the Lord, and no mention is made of it after he is healed 5:12. The cure for rage is simple submission to God, isn't it? Start submitting your life to your Heavenly Father, and watch the rage dissipate. Hard to be angry when you simply own up, come clean and admit like Naaman, “I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (5:15).

Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net