Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Kings 5 and Psalm 122

During the days of king Joram of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) the Syrians (Arameans) regularly carried out cross-border raids. In one such raid an Israelite girls was captured and enslaved. Her new master was Naaman, a Syrian commander who suffered from leprosy. 2 Kings 5 contains the account of his healing. It is very dramatic, and the circumstances surrounding his healing can teach us a lot. However, the discipleship lesson that jumps out at me today relates to the slave girl.

This unnamed young lady has been taken against her will. She has very likely been a witness to her parents’ murders, and the man responsible for their deaths and her own slavery is Naaman. Yet, despite all this, when she realises the plight of her new master, she speaks up as a confident witness to the healing power of the LORD God of Israel: “‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’”

She was in a disempowered position. She was surrounded by unbelievers. But with great confidence she proclaimed the power of her God. She was an outstanding missionary to the Syrians, despite the fact that she was there against her will! Will we do that if the opportunity presents itself today? We should. After all, our Lord said that we would be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. So if the opportunity presents itself today (whether at work, at home, or around town) may we not be found wanting. May we be inspired by the unnamed servant girl and her bold witness.

Come Holy Spirirt and empower me to be a bold witness for Jesus today. In His Name. Amen.