Follow the Prophet

I was reading in 2 Kings 5 the other night and was impressed by the blessings that come from following the prophet. A man named Naaman who was at one time a great "captain of the host of the king of Syria." (v. 1) He was also "a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper." (v. 1) Naaman was fortunate enough to seek the help and counsel of the prophet Elisha. So he went and when he stood at the door of the house of the prophet, "Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean." (v. 10)

Naaman's reaction was not pretty. In fact, he was "wroth" (v.11) and "in a rage" (v.12) Naaman was offended that Elisha didn't himself come out to meet him and perform some mighty, earth-shattering miracle. He even murmured at the thought of washing in the Jordan rather than in some better, possibly cleaner waters.

How many of us pray or ask for something but are disappointed when the answer or solution comes in a way we aren't too thrilled about? It's unfortunate to think that we, (in our finite knowledge and intelligence), still question God, (in His infinite wisdom and omniscience), and also doubt His will for us!

Luckily Naaman had some pretty faithful servants that came near and asked, "if the prophet had bid thee do some GREAT thing, wouldest thou not have done it?" (v.13 emphasis added) They then pointed out the ease of Elisha's command and observed it would be unwise to reject this relatively simple counsel. Naaman submitted, washed himself seven times and "he was clean." (v. 14)

Sometimes we make things harder than they need to be. At times we think that if God asked us to we could move mountains, yet we murmur when we get an unglamorous calling in the church. I think we also misunderstand the Lord's timing. Naaman had to wash himself seven times, SEVEN TIMES. Could not the Lord have healed him in just a single washing or no washing at all? At times He will draw things out longer than we think is necessary. I know from very personal experience that the Lord will oft-times stretch me beyond my comfort level and understanding.

Neal A. Maxwell contemplatively asked this question concerning our obedience to the prophets and our submitting to the Lord's timing:
"Is there some spiritual discipline at work that tests our obedience by requiring the tested to go, again and again, till we learn to trust and to follow the prophets fully?"

What a marvelously introspective question that is! I truly believe the answer to that question is a resounding YES!