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“BEHOLD, NOW I KNOW THAT THERE IS NO [OTHER] GOD IN ALL THE EARTH.” II Kings 5:15
There is a story in the Bible so strong that it is
almost hard to believe! But in it, by the help of
the precious Holy Spirit, is the KEY to that need of
yours which just may be waiting for you to turn it!
At this time, Elisha was the chief prophet, and
people with all kinds of needs came to him for
prayer, deliverance and help. Next door to northern
Israel lived King Jehoram, the king of Syria. Elisha
and the school of the prophets lived nearby.
The five star general for the king of Syria was
a “mighty man of valor,” Naaman by name. He was
a good and faithful soldier but, alas, suffered with
the most dreaded disease of that day — LEPROSY.
Fortunately, the young maiden who was servant to
the king of Syria’s wife had lived in Israel and
knew of Elisha the prophet.
Now, I know this is a bit of history so far, but
HOLD ON! There is a spiritual key coming up that
just may change your life!
The young maid said one day to her mistress:
“WOULD GOD MY LORD WERE WITH
THE PROPHET [ELISHA]…FOR HE
WOULD RECOVER HIM OF HIS
LEPROSY.” II Kings 5:3
When this word reached Naaman he was ecstatic!
He and his servants struck off for Israel with ten talents of silver and six thousand pieces of gold.
Now, one would think with an important guest
like Naaman the prophet Elisha would have, at least, a modest greeting committee! But NO — the prophet simply
sends his servant Gehazi out to greet Naaman with a most unusual command.
Now here come the KEYS! How many of us have been
praying for something — sometimes for years with no answer from heaven? Please realize that these are not the
ONLY KEYS to your miracle, but I can tell you by a word from the Holy Spirit these are many!
So what did Gehazi instruct Naaman from the
word of his master, Elisha?
“GO WASH IN JORDAN SEVEN TIMES,
AND THY FLESH SHALL COME AGAIN
TO THEE, AND THOU SHALT BE
CLEAN.” II Kings 5:10
WOW! Talk about a slap in the face — no
wonder Naaman was “wroth and went away.” This
would be like having an Army doctor tell General
Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, to go jump in the Potomac!
But one of Naaman’s men won the day. His reasoning
was simple: “What have you got to lose?” And after
some (probably) heated argument, Naaman obeyed the
prophet, did as he was instructed, AND WAS
HEALED!
NOW HERE’S THE KEY!
The instruction was not for three dips, or five, or
six — ONLY SEVEN!
Has God given you certain assignments that
you have refused to do? Maybe not seven — maybe
only one — but is there SOMETHING God has
asked of you that is yet undone? Could this be one of
those keys holding back the answer to your prayer or
prayers? What if Naaman had stopped at the sixth
wash? He would still have had the disease. How many
of us have struggled with things God has asked us to
do? I confess I have.
One thing I know about some of you: God has
called you to support TBN, pray for TBN, send Jan a
doll for the children, etc. There are approximately 70
million people who watch TBN each month in the U.S.
alone — but only a little over a million every year send
in a gift. We have done some great things together, but
if all 70 million had responded, we just might have
finished the job and be feasting at the table of the
Lord! WOW! What a thought!
Please join Jan and me —
APRIL 8-13
for another great, revival Praise-a-Thon. We’ll sing,
shout, preach, give, and see the coming of the Lord
that much closer!
Jan and I love you, cherish your love and faithfulness,
and will be giving our best along with you!
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