The True Tale of Elisha and Naaman

Mark Lomison began by reminding us that the Bible is not simply a collection of stories, but an account of real events that reveal God’s truth and faithfulness. He illustrated this through the account of Naaman and Elisha in 2 Kings 5.

Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army, was suffering from leprosy, a disease that threatened his life. Through the testimony of a young Israelite girl who had been taken captive, Naaman learned that there was a prophet in Israel who could help him. After a disappointing visit to the king of Israel and an unexpected encounter with Elisha’s messenger, Naaman was instructed to wash seven times in the Jordan River.

The instructions seemed too simple, and Naaman initially struggled with them. He had to decide whether he would trust God’s word and obey, even when the instructions did not meet his expectations. Eventually, he listened to those who encouraged him, obeyed the command, and God completely healed him. His skin became like that of a young boy.

Mark then asked an important question: Which dip was the most important? While the seventh dip brought the visible and remarkable result, every dip was equally necessary in Naaman’s obedience. Each step mattered.

This lesson applies to our walk with God. We often look forward to the mountaintop experiences—the breakthroughs, victories, and moments when we clearly see God at work. Yet we can overlook the ordinary, sometimes difficult steps of obedience that lead us there. God calls us to remain faithful, even when we cannot see the outcome or understand the purpose of the process.

Don’t quit! Just do what you’re told. Continue obeying God’s Word, listening to His Spirit, and following His direction. Every step of obedience matters, even when it seems small or insignificant.

Mark closed by connecting Naaman’s healing to the greater spiritual healing found in Jesus Christ. This does not mean that obedience guarantees physical healing in every circumstance. Rather, through Jesus’ sacrifice, those who believe in Him are set free from the power and penalty of sin, reconciled to the Father, and given the promise of eternal life.

Whatever season you find yourself in, keep trusting God and taking the next step of obedience. You may not yet see the breakthrough, but remain faithful in the process. The next dip may not look impressive, but it still matters. Don’t quit!

“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 5:14 (NIV)