THE STARTING-POINT OF HIS FAITH,
although still he thought it a foolish thing, and could not bring himself to believe that the result would be what the prophet had said.
At last Naaman’s will was conquered, and he surrendered. When General Grant was besieging a town which was a stronghold of the Southern Confederacy, some of the officers sent word that they would leave the city if he would let them go with their men. But General Grant sent word:
“No, nothing but an unconditional surrender!”
Then they sent word that they would go if he would let them take their flag with them. But the answer was: “No, an unconditional surrender.”
At last the beleagured walls were broken down, and the city entered, and then the enemy made a complete and unconditional surrender. Well, it was so with Naaman; he got to that point when he was willing to obey, and the Scripture tell us, “To obey is better than to sacrifice.”
God wants obedience. Naaman had to learn this lesson. There was no virtue, probably, in going down to the Jordan, any more than in obeying the voice of God. He had to obey the word, and
IN THE VERY ACT OF OBEDIENCE
he was blessed.
Look at those ten New Testament lepers who came to Christ. He said to them: “Go show yourselves to the priests.”