There are times when we are desperate for deliverance from our pain. And even though we know exactly what to do, we resist. Or we may go part of the way, and balk at the details. We may even be indignant to the point of missing out on the blessing that will come from obedience.
Naaman is one such example in the Old Testament. Although he was a mighty commander of the Syrian army, he suffered terribly from leprosy. He was encouraged to go to the Prophet Elisha in Samaria who could cure him.
So Naaman went with his horses and chariot and stopped at the entrance to Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a servant out to tell him to go and wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, and he would be completely cured of his disease. But Naaman left in a rage, saying, “I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the Lord his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me. Besides, aren’t the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!”
His servants went up to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? Now why can’t you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?” So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child. 2 Kings 5:9-14 GNT
Naaman had to learn the lesson that obedience matters. Partial obedience and doing things according to human expectations and desires is not enough. To receive God’s blessing Naaman had to be fully obedient to the seemingly non-sensical instruction imparted by Elisha.
Obedience, even unto the details.