PRIDE OR OBEDIENCE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’” 2 Kings 5:11, ESV
Theme: Don’t let pride cause you to disobey, turn away from God, and miss the miracle.
I THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD...
“I thought that he would surely come out to me...” In today’s scripture, Naaman thought that the prophet would have treated him with the respect his position should command. He thought he could pay, be respectable, and in control of the proceedings. There is nothing sinful about having certain preconceived ideas about how a situation might play out, unless those ideas cause us to become angry, question God’s way, or refuse to obey. Intentionally disobeying God, even if it isn’t something that’s objectively sinful, is sin.
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
When our dog was just a couple of years old and our first baby was starting to crawl, we decided to begin formal obedience training (for the dog –ha ha). “I thought that the trainer would...” teach her to behave and listen to me! Instead, he trained me in what she needed and how to become a good dog owner and trainer myself. Seriously, we attended private lessons once a week with daily training “homework” – a big effort for us.
The trainer changed our behavior, asked us to become more consistent, to practice, to use specific commands, be clear with our expectations, and follow through every time. I wanted to train the dog and make no changes to my own behavior. The trainer joked at the end of our lessons that he really trains people. He was actually not kidding. He trained us for sure. The dog was fine; it was my lack of understanding and pride that was in the way. I use the example of our family pet, but I have found the same can be true with many of the problems I’m facing. I just want God (or a professional) to “fix” the problem with no change to myself or only the sort of effort I already anticipated.
PRIDE BEFORE A FALL
If I dig in my heels and accept no answer except the one I think will be provided, that's pride. If God provides a path to healing and I turn away because I don’t like the details, I very well might miss a miracle. I’ve seen miracles around baptism. It’s a simple instruction from God. As soon as you believe, be baptized. I’ve known people hesitant to be baptized for whatever reason, yet when they obey in that small way, God releases His blessing, power, healing, and we see Him move. If God asks me to wash in a dirty river instead of presenting an expensive offering to Him. I want to obey. I don’t want to miss any of His miracles because of my pride.
Make It Personal: What seemingly small command from God would you rather ignore? Sabbath, care for the poor, loving your neighbor, being patient or slow to anger? Consider God’s instructions and how you might humble yourself to follow them without complaint, anger, or delay.
Pray: God, You are all-knowing, I’m not. Help me to remember that and to be willing to do whatever You ask. Help me to humble myself and obey--no matter what. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Proverbs 16:18; 2 Chronicles 26:1-5, 16; Romans 2:13
Weekly Memory Verse: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7, ESV