Be bold and grasp opportunities you’re given to speak of God. 2 Kings 5

Don’t be overawed, be bold and make the most of every God given opportunity.

There’s a very old saying in English and other languages;

Even a cat (lowly/humble person) may look at a king.

In the story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, we see servants who played important roles. 2 King’s 5 Naaman was highly respected because the Lord had given victory through him, but he had leprosy. A young girl from Israel had been taken captive and she served Naaman’s wife.

She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy”. 2 Kings 5:2

This unnamed young Jewish woman was the first link in a chain of events that would lead to a miraculous healing and salvation, probably for Naaman’s whole household. She’d been placed in his house and God used her, a captive to initiate/open a door for a valiant soldier to know Him. We may not be aware what God’s doing in our situations, just like Job, but He’s often planned things for us to play a part.

The king of Aram wrote a letter to the king of Israel, ‘I’m sending my servant Naaman to you, so you can cure him of his leprosy’. The king of Israel thought he was trying to pick a fight and panicked, but Elisha said, “Make the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel”.

Naaman went with his chariots and horses and attendants and stood outside Elisha’s house. He had false expectations of what would happen next and they could have robbed him of everything the Lord had for him! God rarely does things as we expect, so don’t try to pre-guess the way He’ll answer us. Naaman expected a public display before those with him, but Elisha sent a messenger to tell him, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan and be healed’.

Naaman, a soldier, went off in a rage. The God of Israel told him how to be healed but he’d have to humble himself. Fortunately Naaman had some more wise servants with him, also unnamed, who spoke to him;

“My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, wash and be cleansed?” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times as the man of God told him and his flesh was restored and became clean, like that of a young boy (more than just healed, perfection). 2 Kings 5:13, 14

Naaman, a great man who served a king may have died if his servants hadn’t spoken to him on these two occasions. They had access and knew how to speak to him when he was being headstrong. They stopped him from losing everything and going on to perfect healing and salvation.

Through PATIENCE a ruler can be PERSUADED (Patient Persuasion is best) and a GENTLE TONGUE can break a BONE. Proverbs 25:15

Has God opened doors for us to speak to some who will only hear of Him through our voices? Timing may be important, but God gives opportunities and grace. Be sure to grasp those chances to be a blessing in the lives of others. They may need them greatly.

God bless and keep you today.

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *