KNOWING GOD< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

2 Kings 5:1-16

There are so many claims on how to know God, but nothing to show for besides going to church on Sundays. Knowing God is not in only by words but also in the way of life. Going to church on Sundays could be a religion but not Jesus-reality. Among the evidence of knowing God is in obedience to His word. Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Syria, needed healing from leprosy. Naaman was directed to Elisha by the king of Israel. Naaman knew he was going to meet a man of God. He had the knowledge that there is a God who can get him cleansed from leprosy but he did not know God. In getting to Israel, Naaman could not see Elisha as was expected but only received direction of what to do for him to be cleansed: he was to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman responded with anger generated from pride. 2 Kings 5:11, ÒBut Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ÔIndeed, I said to myself, ÒHe will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.ÓÕÓ Are you having anger issues like that of Naaman? If you are having anger problems you need to address your pride first. Pride was the root of NaamanÕs anger. Naaman later on was reasoned with and went back to follow the direction of the man of God; he received his healing. 2 Kings 5:15, ÒAnd he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, ÔIndeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.ÕÓ Naaman proved that it is not possible to know God until you become obedient to his word. You may only know about God, and if you have not known God, ask Him to reveal Himself to you.