I want to focus on the false expectations of an Older Testament character by the name of Naaman. In 2 Kings 5 we are introduced to him... as a very well respected commander of the Syrian army, who was healed of leprosy and also mentioned, by name, in the Newer Testament, by Jesus.
His healing was miraculous, no doubt, but the way it took shape is what really interest me.
It's an emphasis on the point that simple obedience to God, even when it may not make since to us, or anyone else, always prevails against the worst of odds.
But I want to bring out how Naaman set himself up to fail. What he did is something we often do. He went to the prophet with a FASLE EXPECTATION and HOPE. He envisioned, long before he arrived, what the man of God would do when he showed up. He also could picture in his mind how the process and healing would take place. But when it didn't go as expected or as he hopedβhe became furious, enraged, highly upset and deeply disappointed. Why was he so upset? HIS HOPE WAS DEFERRED! It's that simple. And it was deferred because it was false and unrealistic.
False expectations have been the cause of many wounded and downcast hearts. Proverbs 13:12 tells us why this is so: "Hope (an expectation) that's deferred or delayed makes every heart sick, but when the expectation is coming together, as planned, it becomes a source of life in whom that hope is rooted."
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