Sometimes we think that in order to bring glory to God we have to some kind of grand and glorious thing. We might think that we have to accomplish some monumental task to be noticed and be able to exert a positive influence in the world. This is not so. God uses ordinary people, young and old, male and female, to bring glory to Him. Sometimes - many times - that glory comes through or starts with the simplest of acts. II Kings Chapter 5 tells us of one of these simple acts. This is the story of a little girl who was brave enough to speak up about her God while she was a slave in a pagan home.
As this story begins we are introduced to Naaman, "captain of the host of the king of Syria, ..a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valour, ..." So it seems like this man Naaman had it all. Being one of the top men of the king, you would have thought everything was going his way. Ah.. but we know that I didn't finish the verse. These last five words change the story drastically ..."but he was a leper." That's tough - to be such an honored man and then to be stricken with such a devastating disease.
In verse 2 we are inroduced to the heroine of the story. The Syrians had gone out in companies (on a raid) and "brought away captive out of the land of Israel, a little maid: and she waited on Naaman's wife." So here's this little maid -- and the Bible does not tell us exactly how old she was. She is old enough to wait on Naaman's wife; yet she is described as a "little maid." We don't know anything about her family- we do know that she "was taken away captive." That strongly suggests that she was exposed to some violence. Being taken away captive certainly indicates that she did not come of her own free will. So here is this young lady who has been seperated from her family and her people, her culure and her homeland. How lonely she must have felt. It is very easy to understand why she might not have ever mentioned Elisha or God at all.
But she did know about God and had a simple unchangeable faith; yet she was living in a houselold that did not worship her God. She could have been cold and uncaring. She might never have mentioned the prophet of God from her county. She could have simply held her tongue. But she didn't. She had compassion on her master. She spoke of God and his prophet --with no fear of repercussion. She told Naaman's wife about Elisha. And with this information she gave great hope to Naaman and his wife. A chance to be healed was met with great hope.
We all know the rest of the story. Naaman went to Elisha and was eventually healed and our God was glorified!! All because one little maid had kindness and courage in her heart and spoke of her God and His prophet.
So how often do you speak up for your God? How often do you tell of His incredible power to save? Think about it. Do you have that unwavering faith and that kind of courage? Is God glorified through your actions? Let us take advantage of our opportunities throughout this year.
God Bless and remember ..
keep Christ above all things,
Robin
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