When a worldview doesn't know God

Thinking about our "expectations" conversation above, ....brings to mind the Old Testament story of Naaman's healing from leprosy in 2 Kings chapter 5.  Interesting to watch Naaman's worldview change ....after his God-Moment.  ....Naaman learned something about God, and he was never the same again.  Let's discuss it....

So, what's the background for Naaman's "old" worldview?  

Naaman did not know the Lord God Almighty.  He lived in the country of Aram and worshiped pagan gods (small "g").  As commander of Aram's army, Naaman was an important and wealthy person, ....but he suffered from incurable leprosy.  ....Desperate to be free of leprosy, Naaman believed a servant girl's story about a prophet in Samaria, ....who could heal his leprosy.

To grasp the magnitude of Naaman's medical condition, do an online search for "What is leprosy?"  Viewing a few photos, we understand why Naaman was desperate for healing from this awful disease.

Naaman's expectations of how the "prophet in Samaria" would "perform" a healing miracle were probably influenced watching religious rituals performed by Aram priests before their pagan gods.  The Bible doesn't tell us that part of this story.  .....But God knew Naaman, ....and wanted to make a difference in his life.  ....Change Naaman's heart ....and his worldview.

So, pause here for a moment ....and reread the above paragraph.  Think about how Naaman's worldview of God (Naaman's expectations) were first formed, influenced?  He grew up in a world that did not know the Lord God.

Now think about your worldview of God (your expectations) ....and how you came to "believe what you know about God".  How are you being influenced by people around you?  How do your choices in daily life experiences help nurture your worldview with honest, truthful expectations of God?

Pause here a moment and think about what influences impact your worldview.  How would you answer the above questions?

Okay, back to Naaman's story....

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Listening to his old worldview

Naaman starts out to find this "healing prophet" in Samaria by carrying an official letter of introduction written by the king of Aram to the king of Israel, ....so he would "heal Naaman of his leprosy".  ....And expecting to "buy" his healing, Naaman brought along "750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing."  His entourage would have included soldiers, servants, horses, chariots, wagons to carry traveling supplies and all that wealth as payment for getting healed.

But Naaman's worldview clashed with God, when Naaman's entourage finally arrives at the door of Elisha's house.  Having made considerable effort to meet this healing prophet face-to-face, Naaman's great expectations abound.

Let's read the story from 2 Kings 5:10....

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River.  Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”

WHAT?! ....No expected rituals?

But Naaman became angry and stalked away.  “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said.  “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me!  Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel?  Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?”  So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it?  So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘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 skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

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Naaman's new worldview

Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God.  They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.  So please accept a gift from your servant.”  But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.”  And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused....

“Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.
    — 2 Kings 5:19 NLT

Naaman came to God with his "old" worldview expectations, saying....

"I thought he would...."

"I expected him to...."

"Why shouldn't I...."

.......He learned no one can buy God!  

The only requirement for healing was to simply TRUST and OBEY God's Word.  ....Naaman encountered God!  His worldview changed, ....and he was never the same again!‍

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Why am I telling you this story?

As we ponder Naaman's story, what can we learn?  ....In every person's uniqueness in personality, history, and circumstances, ....I'm wondering about our worldview expectations....

Do we have any "woulda, coulda, shoulda" expectations of God ....getting in the way of hearing His voice?  Of trusting and obeying Him?

If yes, how did we learn those expectations?  From whom?

How do we learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His nudging?

Answers to such questions would be important to know.  ....Having honest conversations with yourself and God are ....necessary to help understand your expectations ....that influence your choices.  

Okay, there's more to talk about, so let's keep going....

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^{*Credits: Naaman healed of leprosy from seedsoffaith}