Tuesday, October 21, 2008
2 Kings 5:2-3 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, 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."
A LITTLE PRIEST FOR NAAMAN
Can you see Naaman's raiders stampeding into her village? How many did they kill that day? Did the little girl's Mom and Dad survive the attack? We don't know. But we do know the little girl was separated from her parents on that terrible day. We do know some rough soldier snatched her and took her far away from home where she became the slave of Naaman's wife. How was she treated in General Naaman's house? We don't know that either, but slaves generally were not treated well. It's likely our little girl was beaten more than a time or two.
Her life was not easy, and yet her parents must have laid many wonderful lessons upon her heart before she was taken away. She knew God's word. She knew God's promises. She knew of the wonderful Messiah who would one day come to save His people from their sins. And so she was ready. No matter how heartbreaking her life, she was ready to serve Her Savior God as His little priest in the house of a heathen general.
Mighty Naaman had leprosy and he was helpless to do anything about it. But the little girl knew that someone could help him. She knew that the LORD was working through His prophet Elisha. And she knew she was the one to tell Naaman's wife, and thereby Naaman, about the help God could give him through Elisha. And so she spoke. She spoke for her Lord as His little servant.
Moms and Dads, let us carefully lay upon our children's hearts the lessons of LIFE -- eternal life through faith in Jesus. Let us prepare them so that they too can be God's little priests, ready to serve the One Who died and rose for us all. Then no matter what difficulties they may have to face in life, their lives will have true and tremendous meaning. Can there be any greater purpose in life than to be part of that royal priesthood, declaring His praises?
