August 9
Speaking Up
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. 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.” (2 Kings 5:2–3)
Scripture tells us about Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army, who was loved by the people and by the king. He had everything people could dream of, but he had one major problem. It was called leprosy.
So, who did God use to reach this man? Did He send the prophet, Elisha, to come knocking at his door? Did God send an angel to reach him? No. Instead, God sent a young Jewish girl who had been taken captive and had been carried away to Syria. How easily this girl could have been bitter against God for allowing this to happen. Yet she spoke to Naaman’s wife about the prophet, Elisha, and Naaman’s wife, in turn, spoke to Naaman. He made the trip to see Elisha, who gave him a rather peculiar prescription, and Naaman was healed that very day.
Thank God for this girl who spoke up to Naaman and told him about the prophet in Israel. Thank God for every believer who speaks up in his or her home. Thank God for the believers who speak up in their schools and in their workplaces and tell people there is a God who can forgive sins. People today are seeking. They are in search mode, especially as they see such an uncertain future in our country, as well as the rapid changes taking place around the globe. People are wondering what is going on. They are questioning. God’s Word has the answers.
Copyright © 2004 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.