The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12th, 2012: “It Is A Great Word” (2nd Kings 5:1-14)

When I was considerably younger, really loud music kind of just drowned out everything. Thinking about my frenetic ways back then, I suppose that was the way to go. Now that I’m older (and little less frenetic) loud music — that isn’t hymnody or liturgy — gives me a headache. I view this as a reminder that loud and powerful isn’t exactly conducive to spiritual contemplation. It doesn’t help me pray for example. In this line, I appreciate the Scripture in Psalm 46:10a: “Be still and know that I am God.” Furthermore, 1st Kings 19:11-12 is pretty amazing: “And [the Lord] said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” Why does God do this? Because He is merciful. He knows we are sinners; He knows we are weak; He knows that we are easily overwhelmed. So He tones it down and will not crush His people. And this is vital for us to know. Sometimes we set ourselves up for confusion. We know that our sin is great, that our problems are considerable. We assume that something really big, loud, and powerful has to descend from heaven. We are wrong, because this isn’t how God operates. We are going to consider this further tomorrow, Sunday, February 12th, as we consider “Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, [who] was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor…”. Yes, Naaman was a great man, BUT…“he was a leper.” He had a big problem and needed help. How would God help Him? How does God help us? The answer is through what is very ordinary and even — to the world — absolutely unimpressive, but when the Lord comes in these simple, ordinary ways, the real power of God is known; sins are forgiven and eternal life is poured out! Hope to see you in God’s House tomorrow!

In Christ,

Dr. Espinosa

• Share