I have pondered for some time why FATHER did not allow our electro-dermal screening (EDS) project to come to full fruition. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I concluded that FATHER would not allow us to bring forth alternative, lesser methods to HIS healing power. After countless hours and thousands of dollars of investment to support Dr. Speckhart’s project, we discontinued pursuing this path. Was it a waste of time, money, and energy? Absolutely not, as is nothing FATHER has us do fall into such a category. This project was specifically undertaken under Dr. Speckhart’s supervision and the epic delays were discussed in great detail. He was satisfied and at peace that FATHER was withholding success in this area. Sometimes FATHER wants to show us in great detail how we will not succeed.
We must know that FATHER’S designated path is always productive for the maturing of the saints and we should not challenge HIS methodology and wisdom. HE is the Potter and we are the clay.
In 2 kings chapter 5, there was man named Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. All the best medical technology of the day could not heal Naaman and you can be assured that the king of Syria would have spared no expense to take care of this great and honorable man.
As FATHER’S plan would have it, a young girl from the land of Israel who was taken in a raid was given to serve Naaman’s wife. She saw the situation with Naaman and told his wife about the prophet in Samaria who could heal her husband. If you had such a life-threatening disease, you would spare no expense to pursue any solution, no matter how unusual.
The king of Syria was told of this and deployed the necessary resources to help Naaman pursue a solution to his disease:
5 Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.
6 Then he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, ”Now be advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.”
Interestingly enough, the king of Israel thought it was a trap. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks:
7 And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.”
What a contrast between the two kings and their motivation- one wants his top man healed, and the other assumes that he is being deceived and is in fear. FATHER’S plan to heal continues…
8 So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
Elisha knew how to hear FATHER and he responded to FATHER’S plan. Naaman wasn’t among the chosen of Israel but was honored by FATHER anyway. We must understand that FATHER is interested in healing all of mankind, not just a few select Christians. FATHER Loves the Syrians too!
9 Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
Elisha did not even touch Naaman nor come face to face with Naaman but instead sent a messenger with instructions. We too must say and do according to FATHER’S specific instructions in each and every circumstance. We are not to create a formula or method for healing. When you do such a thing, people begin to rely on the formula or method (or EDS device) for their healing rather than giving glory to FATHER. Get the point?
How did Naaman respond to this instruction?
11 But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’
Naaman was expecting to be healed by a preconceived process. He assumed that Elisha would undertake a particular method for healing and was very disturbed when FATHER did not heal him the way he expected. Naaman was placing his trust in the method, not FATHER. Then Naaman was disturbed about the quality of the water:
12 Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
Naaman is really upset about the method of Elisha who is simply the messenger. Naaman has traveled all this way expecting to be healed by a wave of the hand of the prophet only to find that it was not going to happen. He was furious and almost missed an opportunity to be healed because he couldn’t understand FATHER’S plan. However one of his servants had the presence of mind to calm him down and give him some counsel:
13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
Let’s keep our focus on the big picture. Let us not forget that FATHER is the One Who heals, not some device or methodology. As Dr. Speckhart told me multiple times, “Our body’s are designed to live forever.” Who designed them? Not some pharmaceutical company. FATHER did and HE can and will heal what HE created.
14 So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Finally Naaman submitted to FATHER’S plan and was healed. Naaman’s eyes were opened to the fact that we must not allow our past experience or others’ experiences determine our response to FATHER’S Word for us. We must become willing vessels as we hear HIS instruction, no matter how outlandish it may seem. After much resistance, Naaman’s obedience finally produced the result of full and complete healing. FATHER wasn’t moved by Naaman’s frustration and rage. FATHER understands our humanity and will take that in account as HE prepares us for our calling. Elisha was not moved by the Syrian’s actions either. After it was all said and done:
19 Then he said to him, “Go in peace.”