“But Naaman was furious, and went away, and said, ‘Behold, I thought, he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage’” (2 Kings 5:11-12).
All of us are wanting to see a breakthrough in our lives, maybe in different areas. Quite often we could be standing at the threshold of a breakthrough, but for some reason or another we are pushed away and unable to enjoy the breakthrough for which we have been waiting.
The story of Naaman is a strong reminder for each of us to be very diligent in the areas listed below which can be major stumbling blocks for our breakthrough.
Naaman was the commander in chief of the Syrian Army. He held a very highly dignified position and came to Elisha with great expectations. He was disappointed to see the cold response of the man of God in not coming out and welcoming him or praying over him, instead sending a servant to tell him to go to the muddy waters of the Jordan River and dip himself seven times! He got upset and angry; he turned around and left.
Somehow the people with him, maybe generals and other officers, convinced him that he was missing a great breakthrough. Examining this story, one finds there were three barriers hindering his breakthrough:
1. Disappointment
2. Pride
3. Impatience
Many of the dear children of God are unable to enjoy a breakthrough in their lives for these same three reasons. The disappointments of the past, disappointments with church, people, family, spouses, children, situations, etc. are acting as stumbling blocks. Many are disappointed with themselves! Pride is another major issue that people refuse to accept. Naaman did not like the waters of Jordan. To him the water quality of Damascus rivers were better. It was humiliating to him to dip in the muddy waters of Jordan! The villain of pride (James 4:10) is still holding many of the saint’s blessings and breakthroughs. Impatience is a third major stumbling block, turning away many from receiving their breakthroughs. Telling a person who is already upset and angry to dip in the water seven times? Patience comes as a virtue in those moments. Hebrews 6:12 talks about the need for faith and patience to inherit what has been promised.
We see so many times the so-called believers standing at the verge of their breakthrough and then turning away, unable to appropriate the promises. This is a tragedy in the spiritual world. The moment we are able to denounce disappointments, pride and impatience we are making ourselves the right candidates to enjoy the breakthrough.
Luke 4:27 “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them were cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.”
Naaman somehow got victory in these three areas and finally received his breakthrough.
It is my prayer that the Lord may help each and every one of us to receive our breakthroughs by trusting in the power of God to overcome these barriers.
Pastor Dr. AK George
Senior Pastor
Ozark Christian Tabernacle
Write a comment: