Everyone is important in the eyes of God, but people long to feel or experience the value they have in Christ. And they can. Although Satan tries to destroy people, God knows how to honor the humble—and humble the honored—without destroying the self-esteem of either.
This happened to a little, unnamed slave girl and her master.
The master was Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Under normal conditions he might scarcely have noticed the young member of his household. But he had a great need—he was afflicted with leprosy—so he listened to her message: “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria!” she said. “For he would heal him of his leprosy.” (II Kings 5:3 NKJV)
However, when Naaman pursued miraculous healing he discovered that God’s power didn’t respond to someone because of position or wealth. Instead, he had to humbly submit to instructions from an obscure servant of God. He was told to dip his body in the Jordan River. And when he obeyed, his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child. . . . (v. 14)
Although Naaman’s ego was punctured, he did not doubt his value before God. Neither did the little girl who launched him on his journey.
Originally published October 18, 1991.
Picture: Flowers in Como Park Conservatory, 2008. Photo by Solveig.
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