2 Kings 5: 14 God’s Word translation
So he went to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. His skin became healthy again like a little child’s skin.
This is from the story of Naaman. He was a captain in the army of Aram. Naaman had a skin disease and heard of the prophet in Israel. So, he asked his king, Aram, to send him to Israel that he might be healed of his disease. Elisha told him to go wash seven times in the Jordan river. He rebuffed the advice at first but his servants convinced him to do as Elisha directed. Once he dipped in the Jordan river seven times, he came out cleansed of his skin disorder.
This a really good story with many messages in it when you read the whole story but what caught my eye was the heading. In the God’s Word translation the heading reads, “Elisha Heals Naaman.” After the last couple of weeks of thinking about who works miracles in the earth, this caption was significant. What is interesting is that the editors didn’t caption this passage as “God heals Naaman.” Even though this is Old Testament, the same operation of partnership with God for the effecting of miracles was in operation. Obviously, Elisha did not heal Naaman in his own power nor did Moses turn back the sea apart from God. However, God didn’t perform any of these wonders without a person.
As you read through the story of Naaman’s healing, and indeed other accounts of Elisha’s ministry and life, you will perceive Elisha’s relationship with God. He lived in a space where he fully accepted his ability to move in the power of our God without having to beg God to show up. He spent his everyday life, communing with God so that when the time came to employ God’s power, he knew how to move. This is where God is leading us.
We can live in and through Jesus every minute of every day. We are led by John’s gospel to abide in Christ. That means we live in him, not that we visit him on Sunday and Wednesday. Living in him means that every breath is part of of our life with Christ. As we learn to abide in him, we will move in the earth the way Jesus did, the way Elisha did and others. There are no miracles apart from God but there is no miracle without you either. God has given you power and authority in the earth. He has given you his Holy Spirit, His power. He has given us His name. Now it up to us as to what we will do with these gifts.