I Have a Big “But” and I Cannot Lie

God wants us to be whole physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” Luke 4:27

There are a lot of people that are carrying problems today, just like people were carrying leprosy back in the day. One man who had the disease of leprosy in the Old Testament was Naaman.

“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:1

Naaman was a great man, BUT he had leprosy. There is always a "but" in our lives. One could have this great family, BUT their marriage is not doing so well. One has a great business, BUT they are sick all the time. Another person looks great on the outside, BUT they have a broken heart. As humans, we have a "but" that is easy to hide. The closer you get to people, the more you see the "but" in their lives. And the more you go to church, the more your "but" will be exposed. You have to get your butt to church so God can confront your "but" so you can receive healing!

Healing is available to you.

The Holy Spirit is saying to the Church that the BUT will be revealed, and it depends on how we handle those BUTS. Are we going to address the BUT, or are we going to become the BUT? That thing you tend to hide will be exposed as you go into the current. We have to be aware that it is a problem and not attach our identity to it.

“Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3

The young woman even as a slave/captive knew that there was a God in Israel that could heal Naaman. This woman, even in her dark circumstances, decided to still be a light to the world and bless her captor Naaman. Naaman then had a choice of what to do with this knowledge. You can either address it, or you can continue to hide it and have it consume you. Once Naaman learned that he could be healed, he sought out that healing.

Outrageous obedience

Are you willing to obey God even through someone who you deem beneath you? Like Naaman, the great warrior, and the slave girl? Would you take advice from someone you look down upon, like a captive servant prompted by God?

“Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 2 Kings 5:4-5

We now find that the King of Israel is now involved in something that he was not meant to be involved in. This is during the time of peace between the King of Israel and the King of Aram. We let our past experience contaminate the present moment. The past wars that the King of Israel faced made him think that the King of Aram wanted to pick a fight. That thinking was based on past pains that were not addressed. Who you turn to in your time of need shows if you have hope in your heart or despair.

“When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” 2 Kings 5:8-10

God speaks through simple.

“Sometimes you may not have the solution, but you can point people to the right person - and that person is Jesus.” – Ps. Eli Nelson

God told Naaman through the prophet Elisha to SIMPLY wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed from leprosy. God usually works on my BUT when I get into his presence. God wants to heal our BUTS and help us be whole. But you can’t heal if you don’t come to God, read the Word, pray, and attend Church.

“But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?' So he turned and went off in a rage.” 2 Kings 5:11-12

"I thought" are dangerous words for the believer. We need to be open to God's revisions on our expectations. We find Naaman having tremendous pride and having expectations of how he is to be healed and glorified. Naaman became angry and raged off over his issues. We need to address our BUTS and apologize to those whom our BUTS have hurt or offended.

“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” 2 Kings 5:13-14

Just keep doing it.

Keep going until you get your healing. Get planted in the House of God. He will continue to transform us as we make ourselves available and obedient to Him. Just like Naaman went to the prophet Elisha and His God for help, so must we go to God for our problems and obey Him, no matter how different God’s directions are than our expectations. God disciplines us through the Church, as iron sharpens iron. We don’t need to lie about our BUTS. We need to address them and ask for forgiveness. Your healing is on the other side of your trust, faith, and obedience.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

‍