"And his servant came near, and spoke unto him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, would thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, “Wash and be clean?” Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." 2 Kings 5:13-14
There are times when we are certain our blessings will emerge from a source we recognize, ignoring those things or people sent in our path, by God, to redirect our focus. Sometimes it can be a perfect stranger, a circumstance, or an event, which dramatically impacts a major decision. Our task is to maintain such a strong connection to God, when it shows up, it will be easily discernible from the other things or people in our lives.
Today's verse, found in 2 Kings, is the fulfillment of a blessing from God, through the Prophet Elisha. Naaman was a beloved Captain of the Syrian Army whom, although beloved and revered by the King of Syria for his valor, was stricken with the disease leprosy.
It is interesting to note how Naaman learned of the Prophet Elisha's gift of healing others. The short version is, the Syrians battled with Israel, and as the victors, they kept those who were captured in battle as servants. One of the captives, a young Hebrew girl, was given to Naaman's wife as a servant. One day the maiden told her mistress that she knew of a Prophet in Samaria who could heal Naaman of his leprosy. Hearing this from his wife, Naaman goes to the King of Syria for an introductory letter to the King of Samaria, requesting a meeting with the Prophet Elisha. When he arrives in Samaria, Naaman is instructed by Elisha to dip in the Jordan River seven times to heal himself, but like us, his arrogance and ego almost prevents him from receiving God's blessing.
Although the healing was miraculous, today let's consider the circumstances that led to the healing—the truly miraculous part. First, we have to assume Naaman treated all the servants in his household quite well, since, the Hebrew servant girl felt inclined to offer help to her new captor. Secondly, Naaman's own personal servant had no fear in recommending to his master that he follow Elisha's instructions precisely. And lastly, because of the sincere urgings of his personal servant, Naaman reconsiders his own arrogance and follows Elisha's instructions precisely, submerging himself into the Jordan River exactly seven times. When he finally emerged after the seventh dip, he was completely healed.
Today, we may or may not have servants; however, consider this. How do you treat those whom you consider beneath you? What about those employees on your job who are your subordinates? What about those you consider less fashionable, less educated, younger, unattractive, or of a lower income group? Had Naaman not respected or listened to the urgings offered by both his servants, he would not have experienced the healing prepared for him by God.
How we treat those whom we command, or those who serve us, can be the difference between receiving a blessing or not. So remember, the most wondrous thing about receiving a blessing from God is, we never know through whom the blessing will manifest. We simply cannot predict who will be chosen to fulfill God's blessings in our life. Furthermore, we have no idea when, where, or how our blessings will take form. It is thoroughly uncanny; it can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time. We only need to be prepared for it by faith, and to accept it graciously and with gratitude when it occurs. L.
Study Reference: 2 Kings 5:13-14
From: "An Uncommon Blessing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: creative digital
There are times when we are certain our blessings will emerge from a source we recognize, ignoring those things or people sent in our path, by God, to redirect our focus. Sometimes it can be a perfect stranger, a circumstance, or an event, which dramatically impacts a major decision. Our task is to maintain such a strong connection to God, when it shows up, it will be easily discernible from the other things or people in our lives.
Today's verse, found in 2 Kings, is the fulfillment of a blessing from God, through the Prophet Elisha. Naaman was a beloved Captain of the Syrian Army whom, although beloved and revered by the King of Syria for his valor, was stricken with the disease leprosy.
It is interesting to note how Naaman learned of the Prophet Elisha's gift of healing others. The short version is, the Syrians battled with Israel, and as the victors, they kept those who were captured in battle as servants. One of the captives, a young Hebrew girl, was given to Naaman's wife as a servant. One day the maiden told her mistress that she knew of a Prophet in Samaria who could heal Naaman of his leprosy. Hearing this from his wife, Naaman goes to the King of Syria for an introductory letter to the King of Samaria, requesting a meeting with the Prophet Elisha. When he arrives in Samaria, Naaman is instructed by Elisha to dip in the Jordan River seven times to heal himself, but like us, his arrogance and ego almost prevents him from receiving God's blessing.
Although the healing was miraculous, today let's consider the circumstances that led to the healing—the truly miraculous part. First, we have to assume Naaman treated all the servants in his household quite well, since, the Hebrew servant girl felt inclined to offer help to her new captor. Secondly, Naaman's own personal servant had no fear in recommending to his master that he follow Elisha's instructions precisely. And lastly, because of the sincere urgings of his personal servant, Naaman reconsiders his own arrogance and follows Elisha's instructions precisely, submerging himself into the Jordan River exactly seven times. When he finally emerged after the seventh dip, he was completely healed.
Today, we may or may not have servants; however, consider this. How do you treat those whom you consider beneath you? What about those employees on your job who are your subordinates? What about those you consider less fashionable, less educated, younger, unattractive, or of a lower income group? Had Naaman not respected or listened to the urgings offered by both his servants, he would not have experienced the healing prepared for him by God.
How we treat those whom we command, or those who serve us, can be the difference between receiving a blessing or not. So remember, the most wondrous thing about receiving a blessing from God is, we never know through whom the blessing will manifest. We simply cannot predict who will be chosen to fulfill God's blessings in our life. Furthermore, we have no idea when, where, or how our blessings will take form. It is thoroughly uncanny; it can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time. We only need to be prepared for it by faith, and to accept it graciously and with gratitude when it occurs. L.
Study Reference: 2 Kings 5:13-14
From: "An Uncommon Blessing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: creative digital
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