1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. 2 And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 4 And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.”5 Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” - 2 Kings 5:1-5
This week I have been studying the story of Naaman. There are some truly great lessons to learn from his life. His story begins with the revelation that he is an honorable and valiant man, and a successful commander. However, it is also revealed that he is a leper. Perhaps you haven't heard, but being a leper in this day and age was a serious dilemma. I'll get back to the leper part tomorrow, but today I don't even want to talk about Naaman. Verse two tells us that the Syrians had gone on raids and collected captives from Israel. The young slave girl mentioned here is often overlooked. Take a moment to think about what it must have been like to have the Syrians ride into your town, come into your home, rip you away from your family, and then force you to be a slave. Personally, I think I would be pretty upset and I'm sure I would be harboring bitterness and hatred toward the Syrians. Yet, when Naaman's leprosy problem arises, this young girl shows concern and compassion. She wishes that he could meet the prophet of God and be healed from his disease. Would you want the man who forced you into slavery to be healed from a terrible illness? I'm not sure that I would. Not only did this girl show a love well beyond her years, but she was apparently well-respected by Naaman and his wife. Naaman is an important and powerful man. He is perhaps second only to the king, a king with whom he is close friends. He could receive the best care in the country. He could seek the advice of anyone. He could afford any treatment. However, when a young slave girl speaks, Naaman's wife listens and shares the information with her husband. When his wife speaks, Naaman listens and believes the slave girl. He immediately goes to the king and asks for some time off to go find this prophet. The great Naaman is listening and trusting a young slave girl from a foreign nation! Not only is he trusting her, but he is willing to tell the king his plans. Can you imagine asking the king of Syria for some time off because some kid told you of a way to be healed? I believe this girl had an amazing testimony. I believe that the unsaved around her respected her. I believe that her willingness to see Naaman healed did not go unrecognized. I have to ask myself, am I as faithful as this young servant girl? Do I show love and compassion to those who have hurt me and wronged me? Do I have a strong enough testimony that people will heed my advice and seek the Lord? No matter how insignificant my life may seem, I always have the ability to be used by God in a mighty way. Am I willing?
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