BREAKTHROUGH

HOW TO EXPERIENCE BREAKTHROUGH

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.” [Wisdom Personified in Proverbs 8:32]

The Bible tells us about a great Syrian commander called Naaman. He is described in scripture as, “a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.” He was a great man with a great problem, a skin disease that would destroy his body over time. I believe Naaman is a picture of many men, mighty but leprous. All mighty men must overcome something. The truth is, everybody has at least one area in their life that they know they need to overcome. The question is, how can you experience real victory in your life? How can you experience a breakthrough- a moment where suddenly everything shifts and there is a release? The addiction is broken off, the struggle eases, and the fear ceases- how can you experience a breakthrough?

Humble obedience brings breakthrough.

Go read Naaman’s story in 2 Kings chapter 5. He had to go through a process of humbling to receive healing from his leprosy. Humility opens the door to help in our lives. Humility means being open, receptive, and teachable. These are qualities of a man on the path to a breakthrough. The Bible tells us, “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” (Proverbs 29:1) Pride keeps you broken, but humility is the key to receiving wisdom. Augustine said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

If you can humbly accept the truth of the Word of God and live in obedience, a breakthrough is possible. Naaman had to obey Elisha’s command to dip in the Jordan River seven times to be healed. He was critical of the instruction at first and responded with a doubtful, prideful, and enraged attitude. After some convincing, he decided to give it a try and go and dip in the Jordan River. Imagine the 6th time he dipped in the water when he didn’t see even one ounce of change. He had gone through so much already to get to that place. It could’ve been a crushing moment, but remember that Elisha told him that he must dip seven times. We must understand that until our obedience is complete there is no breakthrough.

What would God have you do to experience a breakthrough in your life?

The truth is that God has custom instructions for your breakthrough. The question is, will you obey? We may not understand God’s instructions but He requires obedience, not understanding. Humble obedience brings breakthrough. Humbly obey the Lord and live according to the Word of God. The Bible tells us, “if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments…the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.” (Deut. 28:1)

Can you keep obeying when it feels like nothing is happening? Can you keep being faithful? Nothing may be changing and you may feel the same, but can you, like Naaman, humbly keep dipping yourself in the water? Can you keep obeying, keep praying, keep submitting, keep repenting, keep believing, keep serving, keep worshipping, keep reading God’s Word, keep coming to God’s house, keep fasting, keep going to the altar, keep staying in community, keep going…even when nothing is changing. Keep dipping in the water Naaman. At God’s appointed time, through your faithful and humble obedience, God will bring a breakthrough.

“So [Naaman] went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:14-15)

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