How Faithful Obedience Leads to God’s Breakthrough

“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the wordof the man of God. Then his flesh was restored and became like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” 

— 2 Kings 5:14

What if Naaman had stopped after the sixth dip?

He would have walked away believing God hadn’t come through, when in reality, his
miracle was only one step of obedience away.

Naaman was a celebrated army commander. Successful, respected, and highly favored
by the king, he seemed to have everything—except health. Leprosy had left him with a
problem no amount of wealth, influence, or human ability could solve.

Then an unlikely voice entered the story. A young servant girl told Naaman’s wife about
the prophet in Israel who could heal him. Desperation has a way of making us listen to
voices we might otherwise overlook.

Naaman traveled to Israel expecting God to work through a dramatic display. Instead,
the prophet sent a simple message: “Go wash in the Jordan River seven times.”

Naaman was offended.

The Jordan was muddy and unimpressive compared to the rivers back home in Aram.
The instructions seemed too ordinary, too simple, and beneath a man of his reputation.
He was ready to walk away.

Thankfully, his servants spoke up. “If the prophet had asked you to do something
difficult, wouldn’t you have done it?” Their words challenged Naaman to lay aside his
pride and simply obey.

So he stepped into the river.
One dip.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Nothing.

Can you imagine the temptation to quit? The water was still muddy. His skin still looked
the same. The instructions probably seemed just as foolish as they had at the
beginning.

But Naaman didn’t get out of the river too soon.

He dipped a seventh time.

And God healed him.

I wonder how often we quit on step six.

We pray for a loved one but grow discouraged when nothing changes. We faithfully
spend time with God, forgive someone who hurt us, or obey His prompting in a small
way, yet we don’t see immediate results. We assume God isn’t working because we
can’t yet see what He’s doing.

But God often delivers what we need in a package we don’t want. His instructions may
seem ordinary, but they require extraordinary trust. He often asks us to practice humble,
consistent obedience before He reveals what He’s accomplishing.

Friend, don’t spend your energy looking for a different assignment while neglecting the
one God has already given you.

Be faithful with today’s step.

• Pray.
• Obey.
• Trust Him.

Leave the results in His hands.

Our responsibility is faithfulness. God’s responsibility is the outcome.

If He’s asked you to keep praying, keep praying. If He’s called you to forgive, forgive. If
He’s asked you to wait, wait. Whatever your next step is, don’t get out of the river too
soon.

Your seventh dip may be closer than you think.

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