Women of the Bible

Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’
Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” 2 Kings 5.9-15

The end of the story is happy. Naaman and his king determine to pursue the recommendation of the servant girl. There is misunderstanding of the God of Israel; Naaman’s King sends money with which to pay this God, Naaman expects some sort of great man to meet him. But in the end, Naaman humbles himself and receives from God on His terms. He receives from God his healing, a miracle, a demonstration of love and power.

“Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel…” Such precious, powerful words. Such a glorious declaration of truth. These are the words that God longed to hear. He longs to hear them still today.

The faith to speak such words was conceived through the words of a young, simple maidservant. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10.17) When we hear the Word, there is seed for faith contained therein. That is why we need to be reading the Word, hearing the Word preached, and meditating upon this precious faith-inspiring Word of God. It is a treasure.

And when we know the Word, we can share it. Simply tell others what you know. The rest is in His hand.

You cannot begin to comprehend today upon what kind of soil that seed of faith may fall. You cannot tell by looking or guessing.

You cannot know today where or when the fruit will come forth. Times and seasons are in His keeping.

You may feel yourself to be in a lowly place, a position not touching greatness, a situation of no influence. But do not underestimate the power of your words when you speak of Him who is Great.

Our subject, this humble maidservant, did not presume to know how her mistress or master would respond. She did not assume an understanding of the times. But this did not keep her from sharing her faith out of love. Instead of despising her lowly position, she sincerely cared for the people in the sphere where she had been placed.

Know Him, know the Word, then speak simply of what you know. Exactly where those simple words will be carried is not your concern — but realize this — they may reach a king’s ear and impact a life for all eternity.