When God Refuses To Perform According To Our Expectations

Key Text: And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. – 2 Kings 5:10-11

When Naaman finally arrived at the house of Elisha, he expected the spectacular. After all, this was supposed to be his big miracle moment. He probably imagined the prophet would come outside, wave his hand in slow motion, call down fire, and make it look like a scene from an epic movie. Instead, Elisha did not even come out to greet him. He sent a simple message through a messenger: go and wash in the Jordan seven times. No ceremony. No applause. Just instructions.

Naaman was offended. Not because the instruction was hard, but because it was not impressive. Many believers are like this. We want God to move in ways that match our expectations. We prefer the spectacular over the simple. But God is not trying to entertain us. He is trying to transform us. The power was not in how dramatic the instruction sounded. The power was in obedience to what God said. Sometimes the answer to prayer is not a mysterious encounter but a clear step we do not feel excited about. Like forgiving someone. Like starting small. Like being consistent. Not glamorous, but deeply powerful.

In everyday life, we often reject solutions because they look too ordinary. Someone prays for financial wisdom but ignores the need to budget. Another prays for spiritual growth but avoids daily time with God because it feels “too basic.” We want breakthrough, but we do not want process. Naaman almost missed his miracle because it did not look the way he imagined. God’s methods may look simple, but they are never small. The supernatural often hides inside practical obedience.

Prayers And Confession
Lord, deliver me from pride and unrealistic expectations. Help me to value obedience over appearance. Give me the grace to follow Your instructions even when they seem simple or uncomfortable. I declare that I will not miss my breakthrough because of stubbornness or pride. Amen.

Reflection
Have you ever resisted something God was leading you to do because it felt too simple?
Are you waiting for a spectacular answer while ignoring practical steps already before you?

Further Reading: Isaiah 55:8-9, James 1:22-25
Luke 16:10