God's Choice and DelightSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: The Lord does not see as man does. You may look at someone and judge them as ineligible; but God may choose that person for a great task. Similarly, when God's word comes to you, do not doubt. Humble yourselves to obey it implicitly. Naaman was chosen by God to save Syria from its enemies. He had leprosy and according to the Old Testament law, he should have been cast out of the borders of his country. But, through him God brought great victory for his nation and the king loved him for his might (2 Kings 5:1).
Dear friend, sometimes we hastily judge others and say, "He does not know Christ; he is a heathen and a sinner." But the Bible says, "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Look at Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon. He was not a Jew. Yet, the Lord calls him repeatedly as 'My servant' (Jeremiah 25:9; 43:10). Is it not surprising? The scriptural saying, "But in every nation, whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:35), explains the mystery. According to the promise, "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23), God will surely reveal Himself to the one whom He has chosen. So, do not underestimate anyone.
Naaman obtained his deliverance by hearing about the prophet Elisha through a slave girl whom he had brought from Israel. He humbled himself so low even to obey the words of a slave girl, who said to him, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:3). The Bible says, "He who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11; 18:14). In implicit obedience, Naaman left his country to the land of Israel. There he stood at the door of Elisha's abode. The Spirit of the Lord descended on Elisha. He conveyed the word of God, saying, "Ask him to go and wash in the Jordan seven times and he shall be clean!"
Many years ago, I had been to a place where a Pastor had arranged good news meetings for me to address. In one evening meeting, the Spirit of the Lord came down mightily on me. Suddenly I declared, "A man has come to this meeting sore afflicted with leprosy. Jesus wants to heal him." At once a young man came and jumped up the dais. He stood by my side. There was a stench all over his body. I prayed in tears, "Lord! I did what you wanted. This young man has obeyed Your call and come here with no shame or reservations. You should heal him anyhow, dear Lord!" After the meeting ended, I left the place. A few months later, I went again to the same place. The Pastor took me to meet one family. They served for me sumptuous meal. The Pastor then asked me if I remembered having seen the one who served the meal. I said that I could not recollect. He then said that he was the same young man with leprosy for whom I had prayed in an evening meeting during my previous visit. I was amazed! I looked closely at his body. There was no trace of leprosy. He is alive even today for the glory of Christ. Our Lord lives even today! He is beyond all laws of nature. His doings are incomprehensible to our human understanding.
The Bible says, "As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything" (Ecclesiastes 11:5). God's ways are indeed marvellous!
I firmly believe that the Lord would have been moved by that young man's humility to come forward for prayer in front of that huge crowd without any shame.
In implicit obedience to the word of God, Elisha was inside his house. When Naaman stood at his door, the Spirit of the Lord descended upon Elisha. He saw Naaman standing outside through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. The voice of God rang in his ears and he sent word through his servant to Naaman what God told him.
On the 10th of October 1962, the Holy Spirit descended on me, unworthy as I am! I then received His power. Today, when God's Spirit comes upon me, I become transformed to a new creature altogether. I see Jesus face to face, listen to His voice and speak out to the people just what He says. I call some by their names and recount all their ailments and their problems in life. People are amazed! If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are blessed indeed! You are God's chosen vessels for His use.
The Bible says that the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to an ordinary man (1 Corinthians 2:11-14). The words of Elisha again appeared foolish to Naaman. He became furious, because he thought that Elisha would come out to meet him, call on his God and wave his hand over the place and heal the leprosy. But Elisha sent word through a messenger that Naaman should go and wash himself in the Jordan seven times. Yet, in the end, when Naaman obeyed the word of God that came to him through Elisha, his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean (2 Kings 5:14).
The Bible says, "God gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34)
Dear friend, you may recall the words of the Prophet Samuel to King Saul, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). When you obey the word of God, you will be a chosen vessel and you will see the deliverance that comes from God.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I adore You for choosing me as Your own child. Help me to obey all Your commandments and always be under Your will. Cleanse me from all my physical and spiritual dullness by Your precious blood. Fill me with Your divine Spirit, the comforter, and comfort me. Help me to live as a testimony to Your love. Help me to obey You in everything. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |