I am so thankful for all the ways God has directed our family this past month in clearly revealing some of His plans through the new church family He is taking us to, the home He has provided and even in regards to school for our children. We are humbled by His provision and so thankful for His providence! But, as I am sure many of you can attest to, clear direction isn't always something the Lord gives. Sometimes we can barely see the path at all. I think it is often the reality more than it is not, and that is why my heart resonated with Spurgeon’s thoughts on 2 Kings 5:11! Before I share what he said, here's a recap ;). You remember the story: Naaman, who was commander of the Aramean army, had leprosy and wanted to be healed. A young girl, who was an Israelite and a servant in Naaman’s household (read more about her story here), told him where he could go to get help…to the prophet Elisha. Once he reached Elisha, he knocked on his door…clearly expecting a conversation with this great prophet. Elisha chose, instead, to send a messenger to the door with the simple instructions to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. No fanfare, no conversation, no recognition. Naaman is not a fan of this simple interaction that went against what he thought should happen. He angrily responds,
“I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the skin disease.”
Spurgeon encourages our hearts with this:
“Preconceived ideas of what ought to be the Lord’s mode of action are injurious, even to those who have true faith in God, and yet they are frequently indulged. We map out beforehand the path of providence, and the method of his mercy, forgetting the Lord’s footsteps are not known. When the Lord does not choose to act according to our notions, we cry, half indignantly, “I thought he would surely act otherwise.” This folly is seen in believers sometimes in reference to their way to heaven. They are like the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt; there is a straight road to Canaan - why are they not allowed to take it? Instead, they are led round about; their course is in turn progressive, retrograde, and standing still - to the right and to the left, forward and retreat. Does not providence often perplex us and run counter not only to our wishes but also to our deliberate judgement? That which seems to be the best does not happen to us, while that which appears to be distressingly injurious overtakes us. Our forecasts do not come true, our daydreams are not realized, and our schemes for life are not carried out. We have ventured to propose such inquiries, but we have not been able to answer them; it is as well that we should not, for our business is not the solution of problems but the performance of precepts. Let us cease from our own wisdom and leave all arrangements in the hand of our heavenly Father. Our thoughts are vanity; his thoughts are precious.”
How true is that?! How many of us would have ever planned out the life God has given? We like to run from pain and trials. We like to avoid what might bring hurt or struggle. Yet, the Lord knows the gifts of grace that are to be found in the hard, in the difficult, and in the testing. He lovingly knows that “affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
As we’ve all heard before, we may not understand the purpose of His ways…but His ways are not without purpose. God knows best how to glorify Himself, how to spread His name and fame across the lands. And often He does just that through allowing His kids to face trials of many kinds so that His mercy and grace, His sufficiency, is seen in their lives to a watching world….to neighbors, co-workers, friends at school, and family members that need the saving work of Jesus in their lives.
I have often had the attitude of Naaman: assuming I know best what God should do and being confused, frustrated and discouraged (and yes, at times, angry) when that was not how God worked. But, just like Naaman’s servants, the Lord has often used His servants, sisters and brothers in Christ, to encourage my heart to trust the One who always works for the good of those who are His…the God who hems me in behind and before (Psalm 139) upholding me with His mighty hand of mercy and grace. Then they “grab hold” of my tired hands (Hebrews 12:12) and help me walk in obedience by walking with me.
My heart is so thankful for the example of Naaman, for the encouragement of Spurgeon and for the gift of walking the hardest, sweetest journey I could never have planned...oftentimes full of perplexing providence...yet, always carried along by a Savior who will hold me fast, and precious saints who are stepping Heavenward too!
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!” Habakkuk 3:17-19
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