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This morning, Pastor Frank preached on this passage, talking about our need for personal cleansing. As I was reflecting on this story, I realized we often try to cleanse ourselves the wrong way, as Naaman wanted to do, and complain there is no change in our lives.
Naaman was from the kingdom of Syria, or Aram. As the commander of its army, his loyalty was to his own nation. This is why he was offended when Elisha told him to wash himself in the Jordan river, in Israel, for cleansing. He was used to raiding Israel, and taking its children as slaves, not coming to its rivers for healing, as though his own kingdom could not solve such problems.
This story isn’t just about rivers and washing. It’s also about two kingdoms. We demonstrate Naaman’s attitude when we come to the kingdom of God seeking blessing, then opt for the rivers of Aram anyway, because we like them better. Funny how we know they don’t work, but we’d rather return to the rivers of psychiatry, philosophy, entertainment, materialism, good works, and denial time and again.
When he humbled himself, Naaman experienced something in the rivers of the kingdom of God that he had never found in all the rivers of Aram. What else could make a proud Syrian patriot proclaim that there is no god in any other nation than in Israel?
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” (Ps. 46: 4)
Have you sought cleansing, and been left feeling as though you still were not clean? Even after all these years, there is STILL power in the blood of Christ. Only He can wash away guilt, shame and regret, and truly cleanse us on the inside, where we need it most.
Dr. David Burns has identified 10 thinking distortions that get us in trouble. One of them, he calls “all or nothing thinking.” When I was younger, I used to do this all the time, but I learned over time to let it go. Maybe you’ve done this before, too:
- If I don’t have one hour for my devotional time, I won’t do it at all.
- If I blew my diet once, the whole week is a write-off.
- If I can’t clean the whole house at once, why just do part of it?
- If I can’t do a perfect job, I won’t do it at all.
My guess is, you’ve already blown it this year. But one or two failures doesn’t diminish your other successes. So give yourself a break, and don’t let anyone steal your initiative. Don’t be an all or nothing person. Be a do-what-you-can’er, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you accomplish. And with a lot less stress.
The other day I was approached by a young, able bodied stranger who caught me outside the church as I was picking up my daughter from a music practice. We had a strange conversation, but unfortunately it was not an unusual one. He asked me for some money, and told me he attends the church. Funny, I had never seen him there before. When I didn’t give him what he wanted, he presumed it was because I had money on me at that moment and refused to give it to him. I asked him why he actually seemed to expect me to give him money. “Well you’re like a brother to me,” he said. Hmmm. “But I’ve never met you before. How can we be like brothers?”
He then became quite sarcastic, saying he wasn’t going to come to the church anymore “now that he knew what we’re all about.” He went from appearing extremely polite and humble, even feigning kinship, to becoming presumptuous, rude, judgmental and insulting. All because I didn’t give him a couple bucks. I guess my hunch was right all along…..I wasn’t “like a brother” to him at all.
Have we as a society taught people like this that they somehow deserve a handout from others, that it is their inalienable right?
This Christmas, we gathered food and household supplies to help the returning education students at E.A. Lovell School. This week, I received this thank-you letter from Monica McClure, of E.A. Lovell’s staff.
Hi Les: On behalf of the students and staff at Durham Continuing Education, we would like to thank you and the members of your church for thinking of us again this year.
Because of your generous donations we were able to add 19 more food hampers to our raffle, with a total of 27 food hampers. The food hampers were very popular with the students and they were grateful for your support.
The Durham Region Police Services also donated toys, and the staff at the school donated gift baskets. All together we had 270 students who benefited from the raffle. The raffle also served to get all of us in the festive spirit!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Thank you for being such caring neighbours! Monica
Thanks to everyone at OCC who pitched in and helped once more to make a difference in our community.
Our Young Adults at OCC just started a new blog. Check it out!
Of all the things Pastor Harold MacLaryea said this past weekend, I can’t get this statement out of my mind:
If you need it to serve Him, He’ll give it to you.
In context, Harold was talking about our compulsive seeking after the latest gadget, convenience and comfort.
Last week I did a funeral for a lady who’s been coming to our church for a few months. Her life personified this attitude. I learned from her family that though she was on a disability pension, she would buy dented cans at the supermarket and deny even a corn dog for herself at the fair, so she could save every penny to spend on missions trips to preach the gospel. The week before last, I was praying with her on her deathbed. Her prayer? She prayed not for herself, but for souls.
Thanks to a timely word of truth from a man of God, and the godly example of a devout woman, I’m beginning to reconsider my attitude toward material things. Instead of rushing out to buy the latest thing I want, I’ll be asking myself the question: “Do I need this to serve Him?” And I’ll be reminding myself, “If you need it to serve Him, He’ll give it to you.”
I just got home from our small group. It was our final lesson on how to study the Bible. Next week, we just have a potluck, and we’re done. Reflecting on the last 7 weeks we’ve enjoyed together, I feel we reached our goal.
Every person in the room said they would recommend this course to someone else, and that it really gave them practical tools to have confidence in studying the Bible.
While they were sharing what they got out of the course, my mind was going back to our first night together. I had asked the question, “how do you feel about studying the Bible?” Many of them felt intimidated by the Bible, some felt they weren’t smart enough to understand it, and others just felt too busy to get into it.
But tonight, it was different. One person shared how he’s been finding God’s wisdom for problems he’s facing. Another person that didn’t make it there tonight told me she’s buying copies of Living By the Book to give to friends and family. Someone else shared with the group how it’s caused her to make more time for Bible study in her personal life, and how she’s getting more out of it. One man is so passionate about what we’ve learned, he’s already committed to leading a small group on it for the first time, to pass it on to others.
Out of all the small groups I’ve led, this one has been the most fulfilling. In other groups, we may have had more fun than in this one, but the impact of this one group is immeasurable. How can you count the difference it will make when 12 people start studying their Bibles regularly?
God is so good. If this is all He ever used me to do, it’s enough for me.
We all have people who wish we were different than we are. And deep down, all of us wish we were, too – at least if we’re honest with ourselves. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be good enough. Not for myself, not for others.
But sometimes the very weakness you despise in yourself is the very thing that produces strength in another area of your life.
Too many Samson’s wish someone would just shave their heads. They don’t want the hair, but they want to be strong. Either they don’t see the connection between the two, or they’ve spent so much time despising their weakness, they’re willing to get rid of it – even if they lose a related strength in the process.
Before you attempt to work on an apparent flaw in your life, ask yourself…
- Is this weakness related to a strength in my life? If so, what is it? How do they work together?
- How would it affect me if this part of me died? How would it affect others?
- On closer examination, is this a defect, or part of my calling and design?
- Have I despised this, when I should be embracing it?
I’ll close with this question Paul asked the Roman Christians:
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” (Rom. 9:20)
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