APRIL 20

Chapter 4 records four miracles of Elisha. The increase of
the widow’s oil (verses 1-7); the Shunammite woman’s son raised from
the dead (verses 8-37); the poisonous stew healed (verses 38-41);
and the bread multiplied (verses 42-44).

Chapter 5 records the healing of Naaman the leper. In this
miracle we have a beautiful picture of salvation through faith in
God’s Word. Naaman was condemned because he was a leper. He tried to
save himself by seeking every possible cure. This is a picture of
the condition of the sinner. All men are condemned by sin, and many
make the mistake Naaman made of trying to cleanse himself. There is
no salvation outside of God and His grace. Ephesians 2:8,9 tells us,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast.” We see Naaman resisting God’s simple plan of salvation by
not listening to Elisha. How hard it is even today for some to
simply trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
for their salvation. They desire to go their own way, but Jesus
tells us there is only one way, and that is through Him. He says, “I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me” (John 14:6).

Naaman is finally cured of his leprosy because of his
obedient faith. Salvation comes when sinners are obedient, repent of
their sin, and place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The
promise of God is, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved.”