Monday, July 03, 2006 @ 3:05 AM
2 Kings 5:17-19a
" 'If you will not,' said Naaman, 'please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD. But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this.' 'Go in peace,' Elisha said. "
This passage, 2 Kings 5, basically talks about this soldier of Aram, Naaman, who kinda got leprosy. He goes to Israel and looks for a healer to heal him. Elisha sent his messenger to tell Naaman to wash himself in the Jordan 7 times. After being encouraged by his servant, Naaman went to wash himself 7 times, and he was healed from leprosy. From then on, he see that Israel has the one and truly God, and he was determined to follow Him.
Naaman offered gifts to Elisha as a significance that he believed in Elisha's God. Elisha rejected the gift, and Naaman promised God to only serve God.
All these are good. Amen. But one thing that caught me was verses 18-19a.
Naaman asked that God may forgive him if he had to bow in the temples of Rimmon. God spoke through Elisha and replied, "Go in peace".
God sees his heart, not his outward actions. God sees that Naaman had to bow down because he has to serve the King, but God knows that Naaman's heart is wholeheartedly given to God.
God sees your heart. Not your appearance or actions.
Your heart.
I feel so thankful that God sees my heart. So many people judge by our outlook and actions. But God sees the heart. That assures me that there's someone who understand me more than anyone else. God sees my heart.
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