He then went back to the Holy Man, he and his entourage, stood before him, and said, "I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God anywhere on earth other than the God of Israel. In gratitude let me give you a gift." (2 Kings 5:15MSG)
It has been said "people who are kind don't have to be kind to you". Acts of kindness are often a choice, and those who make those choices don't have to include you. So when you are the recipient of kindness you should intentionally express gratitude and appreciation. Immediately thank the provider or giver for their time, talent or treasure. Do not delay the articulation of the honor felt upon receiving any form of kindness or well wishes.
In this text, Naaman illustrates how to express appreciation to the man of God who was used by God to perform a miracle in his life (2 Kings 5:1-19). Naaman, a prestigious leader, was healed from leprosy- a contagious disease that isolated people from their communities. In dramatic fashion Naaman was required to dip seven times in dirty water before he was healed. God could have healed this dignitary without the dirty water, but God often uses extreme measures with extreme people who think they are extremely important or extraordinary. Maybe, this is God’s way of generating humility and removing the disposition of entitlement.
Naaman was not initially grateful for the manner in which was being handled or the methodology of his healing. Based upon who he was, he thought that he should be treated a certain way. However, the prophet gave Naaman no special treatment. Eventually Naaman relented and was obedient to the orders and directions of God through the man of God. Then he was healed.
Being a recipient of this act of kindness lead him to declare: "I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God anywhere on earth other than the God of Israel. In gratitude let me give you a gift" (2 Kings 5:15). Notice how his sincere thanks was directed to God for being a healer in his life. God provided the opportunity for him to be restored to his status and station in life. More importantly however, God restored his ability to love his mate, to embrace is children and to function freely in society without public stigma. He was no longer an outcast with a socially despised disease. So, his first expression of thanksgiving was to the Lord.
His second intentional expression of gratitude was towards the man of God whom God used. He said, in essence, to the prophet let me give you a gift for being willing to interact with a leper: a person whom society shunned and didn’t tolerate. Thank you for exhibiting love and obedience and risking your own reputation. By the way, the prophet would not receive the gift, but instead granted him favor. Elisha said, "Everything will be all right. Go in peace" (2 Kings 5:19).
Well, during this season of thanksgiving and advent let us intentionally thank God for God's intervention in our lives by way of salvation (letting Jesus – God’s love - come to town to love and save us); sanctification (perpetually changing us so we can function in the world) and sources (giving us what we need to survive and succeed). Then, let's thank those whom God has used, and is using, to make a difference in our lives. If they hadn’t come into our lives we might still be unsure of our identity, or struggling with that issue or living in isolation. Go tell them thank you. Some parent, partner, pastor or other person should hear your intentional expression of gratitude.
Prayer: Lord thank you for being God in my life and letting people display the love of God in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner
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