Our Scripture reading today is 2 Kings 5:9-12.
Verse 11, "But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper."
As I read these few verses this morning, I kept coming back to the the two words, "I thought." Naaman had a plan in mind when he went to see Elisha regarding his need to be cured of leprosy. Naaman being a captain in the army was someone who always had a plan. I envision him to be a disciplined, well-trained soldier. Naaman thought the simplest way to get this over with was for Elisha to call on his God and wave his hands around and voila, I am healed! As you can see, this is not what happened when Naaman went to Elisha.
Naaman pictures anyone of us and how we think God should take care of our needs. There are times when I feel I know the way for God to answer my prayer. Think about that statement. I know what God needs to do. It is somewhat humorous, but I find myself guilty of really trying to be god in my prayer life. We learn from Naaman's example that is far better to follow God's plan and stop trying to think for Him.
Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."