James 4:10

Naaman was described as a great man, but he had leprosy. Even though he was a friend of the king, and had all the resources of the kingdom, he could not be cured. Then he went to another kingdom to find an answer from the Living God. When he was told to dip in the Jordan seven times he refused. His reason was pride, He was too important to be humiliated this way.

His servant came near and spoke to him and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean ‘?” (Servants understand humility while the served may not).

I find two acts of humility in the story: First the great one listened to the servant. Second, he dipped in the muddy Jordan seven times. Naaman was healed when he humbled himself before the Lord. Many are just like him in similar situations today. How many burdens do we carry because of our pride? How much Sin?

Even in the church some might believe that personal greatness, influence, and talents are enough to merit God’s attention. Do we not understand that Christians dwell in another kingdom that is unlike this world, and its pride? In this kingdom the humble are exalted, the weak find strength in the Lord, the last are made first, and servants discover joy.

I once heard George Beverly Shea tell of his conversion to Christ. He said that he was a young man who kneeled at an altar on one knee, but nothing happened. After some time, a person whispered in his ears, “Try both knees, George.” He did! The world has been blessed by the voice of the man, who never stopped singing, “My God, How Great Thou Art.”

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10