The Right Response to God's Grace

​2 Kings 5:17 ~ “Then Naaman said, ‘If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD.’”
 
How often is it that we think only great and ostentatious presentations for the LORD are acceptable to Him? This notion is quickly dismissed from even a light reading of the Scriptures, for God knows our frame, He understands that there is nothing we have to offer Him that would set His mind and heart to marvel at His creation. He created us pure and innocent. Sin entered and now taints everything that we touch. Yet, the LORD is pleased with His children, He takes delight in His redeemed. Why? Simply this: the LORD is pleased when we put our faith in Him. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
 
As we look at our text today, there is a scenario taking place. Naaman, a high-ranked and powerful man of the Syrian nation was leprous. He wanted to be free of his leprosy and a young girl who had been taken captive told him of the prophet Elisha. Take a moment to read 2 Kings, chapter five, to get the entire context. In short, Naaman expected some grand moment of spiritual effort on the part of the prophet, but was told to do something rather simple—wash in the Jordan river seven times (see 2 Kings 5:10). It was a simple act of faith that would prove to be the transformational moment in Naaman’s life. There is a simple truth here: you do what God says in His word, the way God says it, and you will receive God’s promised result. The prophet of God spoke, and Naaman, though reluctantly, did as he was instructed and it proved to Him that the LORD is God. But consider the words of 1 Samuel 15:22, “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 listen than the fat of rams.” Just a word of caution: before you run headlong into the Jordan river expecting to be healed of God, you must remember that this was instruction given to Naaman for his transformation, it is not revealed to us to imply a mode of behavior for all believers.
 
For Naaman, this healing was far more than just a simple cleansing of his body. It was illumination to his mind and heart. Yet, as is the case in most false religions, a tribute was expected to be paid to the one who performed the work. And Naaman tried to offer wealth to Elisha. 2 Kings 5:15 reads, “Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, ‘Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.’” His tribute was rejected by the prophet, for there is no acceptable means of trying to pay for God’s kindness and grace. It is offered freely by the LORD to all who will come to Him by faith. Yet, what response should there be? Does Naaman merely depart and show no reaction to this incredible mercy? The Syrian commander does respond, and his request is that which is most suitable—he responds with a desire to worship the LORD.
 
The simple request: two mule loads of earth. With the dirt of Israel, Naaman would build a mound in Syria upon which he would offer no sacrifice to another god, but only sacrifice to the LORD. And even when he was required by his king to be in the house of the false god, Rimmon, Naaman’s heart would be set to only worship the LORD God (see 2 Kings 5:18).
 
My dear Christian friends, how have you been touched by God’s grace? Has Jesus saved you and paid the ransom for your sins? Has He opened the way to heaven and made you to be a child of God? Has He called upon you to trust Him and proved that His word is true? In all these things, the answer is a resounding, “YES!” We have been given through Christ everlasting life. Greater than the healing of Naaman, we have had our souls delivered from death and restored in His grace.
 
Hebrews 12:28 declares, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” This is what the LORD requires. He does not seek flamboyant displays of tribute for His mercy. He seeks those who will believe Him, trust Him, and worship Him. Jesus told the woman at the well, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him” (John 4:23).
 
Worship, beloved, is the right response to the grace of God.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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