We are nearing the end of our study. I want to commend you for staying the course and reaching Lesson 11! I also want to encourage you to finish well. I find that starting things is actually quite easy. But finishing well - that's a different story. You have made it to the final lap - the last quarter mile! Keep on my friends!!
This week our focus will be on 2 Kings 5. Read the entire chapter to keep the flow of the story. Then, go back and focus on verses 1 - 8 for our thoughts today.
First, consider the two new characters to whom you are introduced in these verses. There is Naaman. You may not recognize the country, Aram. It is on the northern boundary of Israel and is more commonly know as Syria. Naaman is a Syrian military commander. An important, powerful man. Then there is this young girl, an Israelite, we don't know how old, currently a house slave serving Naaman's wife. An insignificant, no-power girl. What two extremes from our human evaluation.
Secondly, don't miss what is indicated in verse 1. Aram had been given military victory by God because of Naaman. He is obviously a man of character. But wait, Naaman was not Jewish. No, he was Syrian. That one phrase in verse 1 reminds us that God is the God of the universe. He created all peoples. He loves all peoples. He is sovereign over the affairs of mankind. All mankind. His eyes roam to and fro over the earth in search of hearts that seek Him. Remember, "for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son ..." (John 3:16) Lesson for me? There is no room for "better than" thinking among the people of God - regardless of race, nationality, economics, education, etc. God grants His favors on whom He delights. There may be some people not in your "group" that God favors!
Third, disease has a powerful way of leveling the playing field! Disease is it's own cruel master. Because of disease, this powerful man became needy. And he couldn't fight his way out with his own skill and strength. This had to be taken to God. And he was receptive ... he was desperate. Disease does that to us. Whether physical or spiritual or psychological, take your own dis-ease to the sovereign Lord. Place it in His hands. And listen ...
Another thing that impresses me in these verses is the apparant comfortable atmosphere in Naaman's home between his wife and her servant girl. I think I would like these people - Naaman and Mrs. Naaman. This young slave girl did not seem hesitant to speak up, to give her opinion on the matter at hand. She was obviously concerned about her master and trusted her mistress enough to speak up. I am impressed by both her courage and her faith. And that is the essence of being light wherever you are - the courage to speak the name of God and the faith to trust the outcome in His hands.
We learn lessons from unlikely people in unlikely places. Keep your eyes open today for what God would have you learn ...
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