“Trust and Obey” by Sam Miller

“Trust and Obey” by Sam Miller

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy. Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival, he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. (2 King 5:14-15)

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands: break into song; sing praise. R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. (Psalm 98:3b-4)

But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory^. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. (2 Timothy 2:9b-12a)

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." (Luke 17:15-19)

Piety

“Trust and Obey” by Don Moen

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey…

Study

Our first reading today, relates what Paul Harvey referred to as “the rest of the story.”

The cure being revealed before the reason for this foreigner, Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, to have sought out Elisha the prophet for the cure!! Several “God wink” acts of FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF had preceded Naaman’s arrival at the door of Elisha’s house: the little Israeli girl spoke in FAITH/TRUST/ BELIEF to her mistress, Naaman’s wife, of Elisha; in FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF, Naaman’s wife talked to Naaman; in FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF, Naaman spoke of it to the King of Aram AND in FAITH/TRUST/ BELIEF, the retinue of Naaman persevered and persuaded Naaman to do as the message from Elisha had instructed him to do!!!! One more act of FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF by Naaman and “Wonder of Wonder,” he was made whole!! 

Persistence in FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF seems to be the theme of the Sunday readings lately.

Last Sunday, we were told to WAIT for Habakuk’s vision to come to pass! It will happen; it will NOT disappoint, hold to your faith!! In the second reading, more boldness, and perseverance in the strength from God through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, FAITH/TRUST/ BELIEF. In the Gospel, we were reminded that faith as tiny as a mustard seed is compelling!! 

Today, we begin with Naaman, a foreigner, called, chosen to be converted, to live with FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF in the one God of Israel and by his life testify to his people. The Psalm response and verses speak of “all the ends of the earth,” seeing the saving power of God. Breaking into song and singing praise as those who are chosen to live their FAITH/TRUST/ BELIEF! Paul tells of the chosen, salvation, and perseverance in the truth. The Gospel story of the ten lepers wraps it up: they knew Jesus was their answer, they trusted, believed, and had faith that He could heal them. Only one leper out of ten, on realizing his healing, returned to Jesus to give thanks to God. This foreigner, this chosen one, was told that his faith had saved him, his FAITH/TRUST/BELIEF!! I believe he ran all the way home but not quietly, instead joyfully singing the praises of God and never tiring of telling the story of being made whole.

Action

The punch line, to me, how many times have I experienced a healing/cleansing and forgotten to give thanks? How often have I taken for granted the love and saving power of my Lord when it should have brought me to my knees in thanksgiving? God doesn’t need me, but somehow, He wants me!!! Alleluia!!!!