God specialises in bringing good out of evil.

Naaman the Leper and the

Young servant girl.

Naaman was a commander of the army of King of Aram. Naaman was regarded highly by his master because the Lord had given victory to Aram through him. Naaman was a brave soldier, highly regarded and very successful but he had leprosy. Leprosy was a horrible and incurable disease.

Some soldiers from Aram had gone out and taken a young girl captive from Israel. This young girl served as a servant to Naaman’s wife. This young servant girl was faithful to God despite of what had happened to her. She cared for Naaman and his wife. God has a purpose and a plan for our lives even in our darkest moments.

The young servant girl said to Naaman’s wife. “I wish my master would go to Samaria where there is prophet who could heal him.” Elisha was a prophet in Israel.  Naaman wanted to be healed. Naaman approached his King and said that that the young servant girl had informed him that he could be healed in Samaria.  So King wrote a letter for Naaman to take to the King of Israel with him.

Naaman went with his horses and chariots. He also took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten changes of clothing. Naaman thought he could buy favour with God and get healing. He had put his trust in his position power and money.

When the King of Israel read the letter, he was upset and tore his clothes and said to Naaman, “I can’t heal you.” Elisha became aware of the situation and asked the King to send Naaman to him.

Naaman went to Elisha’s house and stood at his door. Elisha did not even come out to meet him. Elisha sent his servant to tell Naaman, “Go and wash yourself in the river Jordon seven times and you will be healed.”  Naaman was furious and said to himself that he did not even come out to meet me. He could have just waved his hand over me and healed me in the name of his God. Naaman’s pride got in the way. He said to himself, “Why should I go in this muddy river when there are other rivers in Damascus which are cleaner?”

Naaman’s servant’s came and spoke to him and said to him, “Sir, the prophet asked you to do something very simple but you will not do it but if he had asked you to do something difficult you would have done it.” So Naaman went and dipped seven times in the Jordon and was healed as Elisha the prophet had said.

Naaman went to Elisha’s house and thanked him for the healing and offered him gifts but Elisha did not take them. Naaman said that I now know there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.

Naaman was resourceful and in a position of power but he still needed God because he had leprosy. The only way we can approach God is with humility and ask for his mercy.   God does not bargain when it comes to healing or forgiveness. God gives us all good things because his mercy is abundant. Leprosy was incurable but God healed Naaman.

The example of the young girl who served as a servant to Naaman’s wife was quite outstanding. Even though she was taken as a captive and served in Naaman’s house she did not allow bitterness to take control of her life. She was not bitter towards God. We often complain when things are going wrong in our lives -Instead of trusting in God’s sovereign power to change things.

 The young servant girl had trusted God in her situation and had not given up on God. We can learn from her about trusting God in our darkest moments. God specialises in bringing good out of evil. (The story of Naaman is the leper is found in 2 Kings Chapter 5)

Dear God,

I come before you in humility

And I humble myself before you.

Have mercy on me.

You are Sovereign

Please bring good out of the things

That have gone wrong in my life.

You are a God who delights to

Bring good out of evil.

Thanks

Amen

By harbajan (servant of Jesus)

www.godislove.me.uk

28/03/2020.