Tuesday June 28th, 2016 2 Kings 5:1-14
She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." (verse 3)
Usually when I read the story of Naaman, my focus is on his expectation that he should receive special treatment because of his status. This time, I was drawn to the actions of the Israelite girl who was taken captive by the Arameans and made to serve Naaman’s wife. We don’t know her name but we know she had faith. She knew Elisha was a prophet and that God worked through him. Her “witness” to her mistress is what led Naaman to Elisha and to health.
Thankfully, we do not live in fear of being captured and made slaves, but we all end up in circumstances not of our choosing: an inconsiderate boss, a rigid bureaucracy, crotchety neighbours. Though we may not choose these circumstances, we are free to choose how we will respond and relate. The young girl serving Naaman’s wife chose to work for the health and well-being of Naaman’s household. Instead of enjoying the suffering of her captor from leprosy, she chose to give him the information that could heal him.
God of compassion, give us hearts that yearn to love unconditionally. Amen. — PCH
Contributed by Serving where you are
Usually when I read the story of Naaman, my focus is on his expectation that he should receive special treatment because of his status. This time, I was drawn to the actions of the Israelite girl who was taken captive by the Arameans and made to serve Naaman's wife. We don't know her name but we know she had faith. She knew Elisha was a prophet and that God worked through him. Her "witness" to her mistress is what led Naaman to Elisha and to health.
Thankfully, we do not live in fear of being captured and made slaves, but we all end up in circumstances not of our choosing: an inconsiderate boss, a rigid bureaucracy, crotchety neighbours. Though we may not choose these circumstances, we are free to choose how we will respond and relate. The young girl serving Naaman's wife chose to work for the health and well-being of Naaman's household. Instead of enjoying the suffering of her captor from leprosy, she chose to give him the information that could heal him.