Testing: what are the Results?

 Read 2 Kings 5. 

Naaman is described as "a great man", "in high favor", and "a mighty man".  He served the king of Syria as an army general.  Further, it was because of Naaman "the LORD had given victory to Syria."  That would seem to indicate that, even though he did not know the LORD, he was trying to do the right thing.  Now the tests begin to unfold in his life. 

Test #1.  He had leprosy.  This meant he would live the rest of his life as an outcast and unable to be close to people.  It had to be humiliating for such a national leader.  How would he respond? 

Test #2.  In one of his conquests, he had captured a young Jewish girl and given her to his wife as a slave.  The girl remembered that there was a prophet in Israel who could help with this leprosy.  Would this great man listen to the advice of a foreign slave girl? 

Test #3.  With papers of passage, he left Syria and rode to the king of Israel in Samaria.  His purpose was totally misunderstood.  King Joram took it as a personal threat and became greatly upset at the prospect of war with Syria.  How would Naaman feel at this point?  Would his hopes be dashed?  Would he have to stand there and be embarrassed before this king?  Would his life be threatened?  As a general, would he begin a battle plan? 

Test #4.  God had Elisha intervene.  The mighty general rode up to "the door" with his entourage and thought he would receive some memorable display of prophetic power from Elisha.  But Elisha never even came to greet him.  Naaman was immediately offended.  Would he let pride get in the way of what he really needed and wanted? 

It is through the tests of life that God endeavors to gain our attention to draw us to Himself.  His first purpose is for us to come to know Him personally.  The tests from then on are directed for our spiritual growth and steadfast trust in Him. 

Naaman had a physical problem and looked to Elisha for a show of miraculous power.  Instead, what God wanted from Naaman was a demonstration of humble obedience.  When he became willing to obey, then the miracle happened.  However, the more important miracle is what took place inside Naaman.  He became spiritually alive and worshipped the true and living God.