A Little Girl And A Leperous General

According to James 1, God is at work in our storms producing character in us and accomplishing His will through us.

The "little girl" would not have been out step with contemporary belief if she had reveled in Naaman’s health problem. "Sir, God is punishing you for the act of evil you committed against me, my family and my people." This might float unhindered, but for one problem. In 2Kings 5:1, we are told that Naaman’s victories were God’s doing.

"Now Naman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria" (2Ki. 5:1).

God allowed this little girl’s captivity and Namaan was God’s instrument. Why would God punish Naaman for doing His will? No, Naaman’s leprosy wasn’t retribution for his acts against the "little girl." To the contrary, it was an occasion, an opportunity established by God in which "the works of God might be displayed."

My friend, Sam Sasser went through 30 major surgeries, surgeries that were needed to correct problems encountered because of his service to God in the Marshall Islands. When Sam told the surgical team that he wanted to have prayer, the doctor in charge said, "No!" Sam’s response was, "It’s my body and my money, so we’re going to have prayer." Every surgery was preceded by prayer and every time some member of the surgical team came to faith in Christ. Sam’s surgeries were divine appointments in which the purpose of God was accomplished. If we can believe that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, then why do we have problems believing that God can accomplish His will through our sufferings?

How committed to His Lordship are we? Are you willing to serve God’s purpose or must God serve your purpose? Who’s in control of your life, you or God? Do you trust Him enough to serve His purpose in your captor’s house? Now that’s trust!

THE PRICELESS: She desired his health, not his harm.

There are times when life throws me back on my heels. What I expect isn’t what I experience.

I would have expected this little girl to rejoice in her master’s misfortune. To secretly laugh as the leprosy took Naaman from his family, like he had taken her from hers. "Naaman, you’re getting a taste of your own treachery." But instead of rejoicing in her master’s misfortune, she becomes an evangelist that points him to a remedy.

She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy" (2Ki. 5:3).

What a departure from what I expected, but only because it isn’t what I would have done.

We are not to take delight in the demise of our enemies. To the contrary, we are commanded to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. (See Matthew 5:43-48.)

The little girl’s behavior is perplexing only because it stands in stark contrast to what I would have done.

• I would have kept my mouth shut and let him suffer.

• I would have rejoiced in his suffering and his death.

• He will not die as a hero in battle, but as a leper.