It Doesn't Make Sense, But It Works
Based on the sermon from Second Kings 5:1-14
Have you ever been stuck in a situation where someone gave you advice that seemed completely ridiculous? Maybe you thought to yourself, "I shouldn't have even asked them in the first place—that doesn't make any sense!" But then, after sitting with it for a while, perhaps even reluctantly trying what they suggested, you discovered something surprising: it actually worked.
This is a pattern we see throughout Scripture and throughout life. God's ways often don't align with our logic, our expectations, or our pride. Yet when we humble ourselves and obey, we discover that His wisdom surpasses our understanding.
The Story of Naaman
The story of Naaman in Second Kings 5 is a powerful illustration of this truth. Here was a man who had everything going for him—he was a decorated military commander, honored by the king of Syria, mighty in valor, and highly respected. But he had one devastating problem: he was a leper. This incurable disease would eventually disable and kill him, and despite his wealth, power, and access to the best medical care available, he could find no cure.
Hope came from an unexpected source: a young Hebrew slave girl who served Naaman's wife. She told her mistress about a prophet in Samaria named Elisha who could heal Naaman through the power of God. It's remarkable that this powerful commander was willing to listen to the testimony of a child—a slave, no less. But desperation has a way of making us humble.
When God's Instructions Don't Make Sense
Naaman traveled to Israel with great expectation, bringing gifts and a letter of introduction to the king. But when he finally arrived at the prophet Elisha's house, he was met with what seemed like disrespect. Elisha didn't even come out to greet him personally. Instead, he sent a messenger with simple instructions: "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and you will be clean."
The Bible tells us that Naaman was furious. He had expected the prophet to come out, wave his hand over the diseased area, call upon the name of the Lord, and heal him dramatically. Instead, he got what seemed like dismissive, simplistic instructions. To make matters worse, he was told to wash in the Jordan River—a muddy, unimpressive river compared to the cleaner rivers back home in Damascus.
"Are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel?" he fumed. "Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?"
In his anger and pride, Naaman nearly missed his miracle.
The Wisdom of Listening
Thankfully, Naaman's servants had the courage to approach him in his rage. They reasoned with him: "If the prophet had told you to do something difficult, wouldn't you have done it? So why not do this simple thing he has asked?"
Their wisdom broke through his pride. Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, just as the man of God had instructed. And on that seventh dip, his flesh was restored like that of a young child. He was completely healed.
It didn't make sense—but it worked.
God's Wisdom in Our Lives
This story teaches us several vital lessons:
1. God's ways are not our ways
We often expect God to work in spectacular, complicated ways that match our sense of importance or logic. But God delights in using simple obedience to accomplish His purposes. His wisdom often looks foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:25), but it's wiser than our greatest understanding.
2. Pride can block our blessing
Naaman's initial response was rooted in pride. He thought he deserved personal attention from the prophet. He thought the muddy Jordan was beneath him. He almost let his ego cost him his healing. How often do we do the same—rejecting God's provision because it doesn't come packaged the way we expected?
3. Listen to wise counsel
Sometimes the people around us—even those we might consider "lesser" than ourselves—can see what we cannot. The slave girl believed God could heal Naaman. His servants convinced him to humble himself. We need to surround ourselves with people who will speak truth to us, even when our pride doesn't want to hear it.
4. Obedience is better than understanding
Naaman didn't understand why washing in a muddy river would heal him. He didn't need to understand—he just needed to obey. Sometimes God asks us to take steps of faith before we can see the full picture. Trust Him even when it doesn't make sense.
When the Old Ways Still Work
The sermon reminds us of home remedies that seemed strange but actually worked—oatmeal baths for chicken pox, calamine lotion, sweet oil for earaches. Our grandmothers and mothers had wisdom that seemed odd to us as children, but proved effective over time.
The same is true spiritually. The old paths—prayer, Scripture reading, worship, fellowship, obedience—may seem too simple or outdated in our complex modern world. But they work because they connect us to the unchanging God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
A Word to the Young
Young people, hear this with an open heart: The generation before you isn't trying to hold you back when they give you advice. They're trying to spare you from the mistakes they made and the pain they endured. You may think you're navigating a "different generation," but the Bible reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
Some timeless wisdom that may not make sense now, but will serve you well:
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Save something for a rainy day
Don't put the cart before the horse
Rome wasn't built in a day
Don't let your britches get too big for yourself
Look before you leap; think before you speak
Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long (Ephesians 6:2-3)
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
These aren't just old sayings—they're proven principles for living well.
Take the Step
Like Naaman standing on the banks of the Jordan River, you may be facing a moment where God is asking you to do something that doesn't make sense to you. Maybe He's calling you to:
Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it
Give when your wallet is already thin
Step into ministry when you feel unqualified
Trust Him with a relationship, a job, a dream
Simply obey in the small, unglamorous daily disciplines of faith
Whatever it is, don't let pride, fear, or your need for understanding keep you from your miracle. Obey God's instructions, even when they seem too simple, too humble, or too strange.
Because here's the truth that Naaman discovered, that countless believers throughout history have discovered, and that you can discover too:
It doesn't make sense—but it works.