2/9/2026

Day 9:

Naaman’s Pride

2 Kings 5:1–14 (NLT)

Naaman’s story is a vivid revelation of how pride resists God’s grace and how humility unlocks it. Scripture introduces Naaman as a man of extraordinary stature: “He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram” (2 Kings 5:1). He was courageous, successful, respected—and diseased. Leprosy slowly consumed what power could not protect. Naaman had everything except the one thing he could not earn, command, or conquer: healing.

When a young Israelite servant girl spoke of a prophet in Samaria, Naaman pursued help—but still on his own terms. He arrived at Elisha’s house with horses, chariots, silver, gold, and fine clothing. He expected recognition, ceremony, and spectacle. His posture was not one of desperation, but entitlement. He wanted healing, yes—but without surrendering dignity.

Elisha’s response immediately exposed that pride. He did not come out. He did not acknowledge Naaman’s rank. He sent a messenger with a simple command: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River” (v. 10). No drama. No prayer performance. No honor guard. Just obedience.

Naaman exploded in anger. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” (v. 11). His words expose the heart of pride: I thought. Naaman had already decided how God should work. He wanted healing that matched his status, power that preserved his image, and obedience that did not require humiliation. He even compared rivers—“Aren’t the rivers of Damascus better than any of the rivers of Israel?” (v. 12). Pride always compares, always elevates self, always resists God’s way if it feels beneath us.

This struggle is not ancient; it is deeply modern. We want God’s blessing without surrender. We want transformation without obedience that costs us our reputation. We want healing without the cross. Yet Scripture is unyielding: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Grace flows where pride dies.

Naaman’s servants—voices without status—spoke wisdom. “If the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it?” (v. 13). Pride loves grand gestures because they preserve control. Humility obeys simple commands because it trusts God. The simplicity of the instruction exposed Naaman’s heart more than the disease ever did.

Finally, Naaman yielded. He went down into the Jordan seven times. Each descent was a burial of pride. Each rising was an act of faith. Scripture says, “His flesh became as healthy as the flesh of a young child, and he was healed!” (v. 14). Healing did not come through water, but through surrender. Obedience unlocked what pride had blocked.

Naaman emerged changed—inside and out. He confessed faith in the one true God, rejected payment, and became a worshiper instead of a commander demanding terms. What power could not produce, humility did.

The Jordan was not impressive. The command was not dignified. But God often chooses the low road to dismantle pride. Jesus Himself said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). The muddy Jordan is often the doorway to a miracle.

What instruction from God have you resisted because it felt too simple, too humbling, or too costly to your pride? Where are you insisting on your own terms instead of God’s? Ask the Lord to show you your “Jordan,” and choose obedience—even if it feels foolish. Healing and freedom wait on the other side of surrender.

Pride insists on dignity; humility chooses obedience—and finds healing there.