James Nisbet Commentary - 2 King 5:15 - 5:15

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James Nisbet Commentary - 2 King 5:15 - 5:15


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BLESSED ASSURANCE

‘Behold, now I know.’

2Ki_5:15

Yes, Naaman saw things differently now. Religion had ceased to be a mere matter of opinion, it had become a matter of personal experience and conviction. In place of ‘Behold, I thought’ (v. 11), words which we are all ready enough to use on religious questions, he could say, ‘Behold, now I know.’ He was a changed man altogether.

No man’s religion is the reality it should be until he can say with Naaman, ‘Behold, now I know.’ This is the meaning of the Psalmist’s prayer, ‘Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.’ He wanted God so to speak the truth into his heart, that his heart might witness to it with full assurance. Then the prophet’s testimony can be ours. ‘Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortedst me.’ For comfort is no comfort unless you feel it.

Learn then to follow Naaman step by step till you reach the same assurance.

I. Let there be an honest facing of your true condition.—You are a leper in spite of all your good points. Our ‘redeeming features,’ as we call them, are powerless to redeem us. We are sinners, lost, helpless, and unclean.

II. Let there be a direct personal application to the Lord Jesus Christ.—Naaman gained nothing by going to the King of Israel. The Lord Jesus does not cleanse at the command of any one.

III. Abandon all desire to do ‘some great thing.’—Naaman would gladly have done ‘some great thing,’ but if so, he would have returned to Damascus as proud in heart as when he came. By receiving a free cleansing his heart became broken and contrite, and he was able to offer to God the one sacrifice that God accepts.

IV. Let there be the persevering obedience of faith.—Naaman dipped himself seven times.

—
Rev. F. S. Webster.

Illustration

‘There are different kinds of knowledge. There is the knowledge that rests upon observation. Then there is a knowledge that admits of mathematical demonstration. But there is a knowledge equally certain and definite, which rests upon intuition, and comes wholly from within. In all personal religion this kind of knowledge is an important element. We know when we have done wrong, we know when our motives are insincere, when our hearts are rebellious and proud, when our heart is not right with God. Yes, call it what you may, this language of the heart, the verdict of a man’s own inner consciousness cannot be ignored. It cannot be shaken by argument. It is the supreme court of judgment.’