12 AUGUST
THE YOUNG CAPTIVE GIRL
“If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3, NIV)
The stories of the Bible are real life events that could have happened to anyone, including us, in that generation or with some differences in our generation. Let us imagine what might have happened to this young slave girl, as she was called.
“Let me go…let me go…Almighty Jehovah, please save me,” she must have cried out loudly, as the soldiers dragged her to their quarters. Naaman’s wife was, perhaps, taking her evening stroll when she heard this cry and looking through her well-manicured lawns she saw this strange sight. Her heart went out to the pitiable dishevelled young girl and she commanded in a stern voice, “Bring her to me! She will serve me”. Being their commander’s wife, the soldiers released the girl immediately for fear of punishment. “Wash her, dress her wounds, clothe and bring her to my quarters,” she commanded her maids.
God was with Ezer and whatsoever she did, she did exceedingly well. She rose from a mere servant to become a trustworthy and loving helper to Naaman’s wife. One morning, as she helped her mistress to choose a suitable dress for one of those parties in honour of Naaman’s brave exploits, Ezer suddenly said: “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
Naaman’s wife did not have any difficulty convincing her husband. He was ready to try anything that could save him from the reproachful infirmity. He went off to Samaria, first to the King and then the Prophet, Elisha. And with the encouragement of his aides, he overcame his reluctance to obey the instructions. He received his healing and committed to serve only the one true God. God can use any situation, person or thing to accomplish His purpose! He used the pains of captivity of a young Israeli girl to take away the shame of leprosy from a great and honourable commander of the Syrian army and bring him to His saving and healing knowledge.
ACTION: Make yourself available for God to spread light and life to all around you.
PRAYER: Father God, please take over my situations and use them to accomplish your purpose.