Read: 2 Kings 5:1-14
She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (v. 3)
While visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas, I found it fascinating that for years, hundreds of desperately sick people traveled to this city looking for a cure. Owners of bathhouses knew this and hired hucksters to prey on these people to drum up business. People were willing to take a chance that soaking in the 140-degree spring waters would heal them. These waters may have had some relaxing benefits, but they certainly were not a cure-all as the con men claimed.
General Naaman was also looking for a cure—for his leprosy. On the advice of a servant girl, he went to see the prophet in Samaria. At first, Naaman thought Elisha’s prescription was foolishness. He was an important general, and the prophet did not even come out to see him. Instead, Elisha sent word for him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Despite his feelings and at the encouragement of his attendant, Naaman eventually followed Elisha’s simple prescription. It worked—his flesh became clean.
Many people feel that Jesus’s prescription for living a guilt-free life seems like nonsense. But he is not a huckster. Our Savior cares, loves, and died for us. When Naaman trusted the man of God and did what he said, his leprosy was gone. When we trust the Son of God, he will make our sin-stained lives clean. As clean as freshly fallen snow (see Isa. 1:18).
As you pray, thank Jesus that he is the only cure for your sin problem.
About the Author
Steven Laman is a writer and public speaker who has lived with cerebral palsy since his birth in 1970. Steven is a prolific devotional writer for Words of Hope, and the author of three books: My Journey God’s Grace, Strength in Weakness and My Grace Is Sufficient. He also volunteers as a teacher’s aide. He lives with his parents in Iowa.
