Are you one to do what you’re told or are you a debater? I have spent a lot of time with teenagers and they seem to love debating any issue you put before them. It is second nature to some of them and they do it without realizing it. Some adults have this same problem. While it is great to present ideas others may not have considered, sometimes you just need to do what you’re told without debate.
Naaman found this out first hand in 2 Kings 5:1-15. He had leprosy. He wanted to be healed and finally a servant in his home suggested he visit the prophet. I love this servant girl. Her first thought isn’t to go to a doctor, rather go to God for healing. In our culture, seeking the Lord for healing through prayer seems to be either a last resort or left only to life and death situations.
Naaman got the king’s permission to visit Elisha, so he went. When Naaman finally got to Elisha’s door, Elisha sent a message to “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” I would love it if all I had to do was take a bath seven times to be cured of a disease, but Naaman was insulted. He wanted a production of healing even more than he wanted his healing. Aren’t we like Naaman at times? When we seek healing through prayer we want to see some grandiose display of power. God is not a magician. He is not a performer. He is all powerful, but He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. He is a Father who loves a humble and contrite spirit [Isaiah 66:2]. Finally Naaman’s servants talked some sense into him (as we say in the south) and he followed Elisha’s instructions and was healed.
Are you waiting for the Lord to respond to a request? Has He given you instructions that seem too simple or easy to make a difference? When we seek the Lord, we would be wise to do exactly what He says in the time and manner He instructs. 2 John 1:6 reminds us of the Lord’s desire for our obedience. He values it more than sacrifice [1 Samuel 15:22]. We are left with one simple choice…do or debate. The results you get depend on the choice you make.