expectation versus God's will

 

But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

2 Kings 5:11-13

    Naaman’s anger and reluctance to obey is a helpful representation of how we tend to view the paths God places before us. Too often we let our preconceived ideas of what’s best take the throne of our hearts. Our expectations are so different from how the Lord works. All of us are sinners and all of us have sinful perspectives that cloud our vision. We convince ourselves we know the best outcome of a given situation. Instead of having an open heart to follow God, we set up our own idea of what should happen. Once we have this self-constructed ideal firmly rooted in our hearts, what happens when God’s plans are different?

    But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Naaman thought the cure would be quick and easy. After all, if God is so powerful, shouldn’t He use the most convenient way? Why would God choose a more humbling and difficult path? Naaman had a preconceived idea of how God would work. It brought a damaging response when God’s will was different. Naaman had pride in his heart that made him unwilling to stoop to the level of bathing in an unfamiliar, foreign river. His sinful nature recoiled in anger from the thought. God used that experience to show Naaman that his pride was blinding him to his healing. So often we have the same response as Naaman. Instead of having faith in the Lord’s commands and leading, we react in anger or doubt. We refuse to believe that the path God has placed before us is right. “Surely I’m making a mistake here,” we say. “God couldn’t be leading me this way. It’s too hard. I could do so much more for Him if only…” Fill in the blank. We all have excuses for disregarding the hard path of obedience. We all want life to be perfect--according to our own definition. But just like Naaman, we have to realize that God’s perfection comes through ways we would never expect. Often it comes by the difficult road.

    “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘wash and be clean’?” Naaman’s servants had a clearer view of the situation than he did. They saw the wonderful promise of healing. The foundation of our hope is God’s goodness and grace. Our God has promised us so much! He has promised to lead us and guide us in the way we should go! He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to pour forth His wisdom. Once our eyes are opened to the perfection of God’s will and leading, we will desire to surrender our own will. Fretting over an outcome or striving to know what God has planned for the future will only bring more heaviness and stress. But embracing God’s way, no matter how unexpected, will bring freedom. There is such a joy found in trusting our Lord. If He promises something, He means it.

    “And he was clean.” Naaman obeyed the word of the Lord and was healed. Obedience is the gateway to much blessing. Once we see past our own plans, we can embrace the commands of God’s Word and trust His power. He has a purpose for every step we tread. We can’t see the twists and turns of the story, but we know God does and He provides the instruction we need. He is working powerfully through every situation we face and, ultimately, it is for our benefit and His glory. We can have abounding joy in the journey because we have certainty in the One who leads.

    Christian, examine your heart! Go before the Lord and ask Him to reveal any pride or distrust of His plans. Pray that for a willingness to follow His commands, no matter how unappealing they may be to your flesh. Give up your own ideals of your story. Trust the Author. His Word is sure. Know that God has written your story and has a perfect purpose for every difficulty.

For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:10-11)