An Unlikely Hero, A Slave For Christ
Café Menu for Friday, January 29, 2016
Today’s Special is: A Slave For Christ
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Heather Bleier
Main Ingredient:
Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
2 Kings 5:2-3 ESV
Entrée:
Naaman was a man of great power, commander of the Syrian army, and highly esteemed by his King. Despite his power and great name, Naaman was plagued with leprosy, an incurable disease causing his flesh to rot. You can imagine the desperation Naaman felt as he searched for relief and healing.
His wife’s slave girl chimed in and,
said to her mistress, ‘Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’
2 Kings 5:3
Hope-filled, Naaman goes to his King who is all too happy to write a letter to the King of Israel on Naaman’s behalf.
Armed with a myriad of gifts and wealth (vs 5), Naaman visits Elisha who commands him to bathe seven times in the Jordan River. At once, Naaman is healed of his leprosy,
and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child.
2 Kings 5:14
Reading the story of Naaman’s healing (2 Kings 5:1-14), it would be a no brainer to name Elisha as God’s Spirit-filled hero. After all, he is a prophet of God with a double portion of His Spirit (2 Kings 2:9).
This man of God is placed alongside other Bible heroes like, Moses, King David, Peter, and Paul whom accomplished incredible feats of faith, revealing God’s miraculous power.
But he isn’t our hero. In fact, our hero has no name.
She is a…
little girl from the land of Israel.
2 Kings 5:2
Ripped from her home and forced into slavery in a foreign land.
One would expect to find a fearful child, angry with God over her circumstance. Instead, we find a brave little girl, filled with love for the Lord, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Rather than turning her back on God, she points her master to the One who can bring perfect healing!
Oh that we would allow the Holy Spirit to empower us the same way to share the love of God even in the midst of our troubles! The same power which filled Moses, King David, Peter, and Paul filled that little slave girl and lead her to share God with her master. This same power fills us and though we may never part the seas, we are empowered by the Spirit to point others to Christ.
Take Out:
Need some ideas on how to share your faith? Here are Nine Ways to Confidently #ShareJesus.
Would you like to learn more about the Holy Spirit? This post called #Indwelling may shed some light.
Dessert:
Father, remind me that, by faith, I too am filled with Your Holy Spirit, empowered to live and serve You! Amen!
For more encouragement, visit Heather at heatherbleier.com.
© 2016 by Heather Bleier. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Friday, 29 January 2016.
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