Do You Believe In Miracles?

Do You Believe in Miracles?

2 Kings 5:1-19

The World Book Dictionary defines a miracle as “A wonderful happening that is contrary to or independent of the known laws of nature.”

When it comes to believing in miracles we tend to be skeptical. We hear about someone being healed and we want to see the evidence and even after seeing the healing we have our doubts.

There is a mystery about healing. Why are some people healed and others not healed?

There are many hindrances and obstacles we have to overcome to believe in miracles.

I. Obstacles to Belief in Miracles

There are many obstacles to miracles. After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the eleven disciples with Thomas being absent Thomas said he would not believe unless he personally saw Jesus. Later Jesus appeared to Thomas and he believed.

Miracles are denied. The miracles in the Bible are denied as being stories to illustrate a truth. Some say the healing stories are fables to teach a spiritual truth, they did not actually happen.

The days of miracles had a beginning and ending point. Some say miracles did happen in Old Testament times and during the time of Jesus and the Apostles, but do not happen now.

Miracles are only occasional. Others say miracles do happen but they are rare. God does heal but only on rare occasions.

The Biblical view is that it is God’s will for people to be well. The opposite view is that it is God’s will for people to be sick. As parents, it is your desire for your children to be healthy. God is our heavenly Father and it’s His will for his children to be healthy.

If it’s God’s will for people to be healthy, why then are so many people sick? We’ll explore that question later.

2 Kings 5:1-19 we have the story of Naaman the mighty commander of the Aramean army. Naaman had leprosy, a contagious skin disease.

The Aramean army under the leadership of Naaman had invaded Israel and taken a number of captives. One of the young girls had been given to Naaman’s wife to serve as her maid. The young girl told Naaman’s wife that if Naaman would go see the prophet in Samaria he would be healed of his leprosy.

Naaman’s wife told Naaman what the young girl had said. With that information Naaman asked the king for permission to go visit the prophet. He took with him $20,000 in silver, $60,000 in gold and 10 suits of clothes as gifts.

The King of Aram sent a letter with Naaman to present to the King of Israel. The letter stated: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman, I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:6

The King of Israel was all upset and tore his clothes in dismay. He probably wished he could heal Naaman when he saw the large bags of silver and gold and suits of clothing. The King of Israel cried out: “Am I God that I can kill and give life? He is only trying to find an excuse to invade us again.” 2 Kings 5:7

2 Kings 5:9-14 When the prophet Elisha heard of the king’s reaction he sent word to the king to have Naaman come to him and learn that “there is a true prophet in Israel.” The only god that Naaman knew about was the Syrian god, Baal-zebul. So Naaman went with his entourage of horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. The prophet, Elisha, sent out his messenger Gehazi to tell Naaman, “Go and wash your- self seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:10

Naaman was enraged at the idea of going into the Jordan River. He could have washed in the sacred rivers in Damascus. He thought that the prophet Elisha would come out and personally wave his hand over him and perform his healing by calling on the name of the Lord. Naaman was offended and rode off in a rage.

His officer reasoned with Naaman, “Sir, if the prophet told you to do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!” So, Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child’s and he was healed!” 2 Kings 5:13-14

In Naaman we see a great hindrance to healing, lack of humility. Naaman saw himself as a person of importance. Dipping in the Jordan River was beneath his self pride. He reluctantly obeyed, and humbled himself and dipped seven times in the Jordan River and was healed. He then believed that the God of Israel, the God of creation was the only God.