2 Kings 5 contains the story of Naaman, the military hero of Syria cleansed of leprosy. Here are the first few verses:
Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.”Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
This past Sunday, I met Naaman’s servant girl. She was young and beautiful. She was taken by force from her dearly loved family and made a slave. But more, this slave girl was a believer in YHWH, the God of Israel. And she knew that Elisha was a true prophet of YHWH. Instead of growing bitter against Naaman and his wife, she had compassion on Naaman, and told him a thing most precious to her: Elisha knew the Lord, and could heal him.
A small Jewish slave girl who didn’t give into bitterness became the true hero in 2 Kings 5. How precious do you think she is in the eyes of the Lord? She certainly must be great in His eyes! Her life and witness is still producing fruit. Thank you God for the slaves who trust You and do not give into bitterness. I look for the day when You return and set every captive free and reward them according to Your good pleasure.
Beyond Knowing 
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July 1, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Tessa Silvas
Are you familiar with any of John MacArthur’s books? He recently wrote a book called SLAVE and as the subtitle so aptly says, it’s all about discovering our true identity in Christ. It’s a GREAT book, and what you said about thanking God for the slaves that trust in Him, reminded me of it. Also when you call yourself a slave on your “About” page, that also reminded me of this book. 😉
I recently started reading a book called “Worldliness” by C.J. Mahaney. (I’m only on the second chapter…) I’m really impressed with it so far! In it, it talks about how we get so relaxed in our state of life that we start to let things slide – it happens quickly. How do we govern our lives? What is “good”? What is “bad”? Are we living our lives by the standards in the Bible? The verse in the New Testament that talks about not loving the world or anything in it – are we living this verse out in our daily live? It has provoked thought for me! If we are truly slaves of Christ, giving ourselves up wholly to follow Him and Him alone, then we ought to be *really* living that way, right? A slave, fully given over for the service of the one he serves. This is my goal – to be able to say without any doubt in my heart, without any fleeting emotion for worldly things, without a second glance at the world I left behind – I am a slave of Christ, wholly given over to HIM!
Blessings to you, δοῦλος of Christ!
July 2, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Clayton
Nice Greek touch there at the end. Very fun. I have only read one book by John MacArthur. We have our differences, to be sure, but I must say, I believe he is a great apologist and defender of Christianity. I’m very glad he is on our side. I’m familiar with C.J. Mahaney a little more than MacArthur. I’ve heard him speak publicly, and I purchased one of his books on the Cross. He’s a cool person for sure.
My About page… I wrote that on the fly, and it convicts me. I don’t know that I am anywhere close to being a bondservant of Jesus Christ, though I desire to be. I wonder, what does Mahaney say about money in Worldliness?
July 5, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Tessa Silvas
Hi Clayton!
I have a rather random question…were you homeschooled?
That’s awesome that you’ve heard C.J. Mahaney speak before!! Before I found this book, I didn’t know he existed. 😉 I was looking around his website today and was rather impressed – I also realized that my best friends favorite music is Sovereign Grace music! Such a small world, isn’t it?
I am so incredibly impressed with this book, Worldliness. And I really want to be able to tell you what Mahaney says about money within it’s covers, but I’m only half way through it so far, and at this point the book has covered what worldliness is and why the Bible tells us to be in the world but not of it, and also what 1 John 2:15 means and why it is so important. He has also covered how the Lord should be ruling our lives when it comes to music and media (what they have to say is very good). I’m reading the chapter now called “God, My Heart, and Stuff” which indirectly talks about the love of money. The author of the chapter is Dave Harvey (it was edited by C.J. Mahaney) – he talks about how our treasure needs to be stored up in Heaven and not here on earth. Everything from a plasma TV, the newest phone, the best and biggest house, the shiniest car (which, by the way, all takes money to get!) should not be our focus, and when it is, it becomes idolatry. If it is coming before God and takes the first and foremost place in our minds, it is sinful because it’s stealing the rightful places of our Lord. He talks about how we need to be guarded against this kind of seduction and also where the true place is to be storing up our treasures.
I need to get going, Clayton – but I shall be back later because I had more to say! 😉
Blessings to ya!
Oh yes…the book also talks about living our lives coram Deo – living in the presence of God. What do you think our lives be like if we always lived them coram Deo?
July 5, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Clayton
homeschooled, as in, you think i’m socially awkward homsechooled? Or as in, you think I think outside the box, and enjoy the ministries of cool homeschool friendly people like Mr. Ham and Mahaney? Well, yes, I’m guilty of being homeschooled. Why do you ask?
You’ve asked a great question – what would our lives be like if we always lived in the presence of God. I believe our lives would be much more full of joy. In His presence there is fullness of joy. He is a happy God, abounding in loving-kindness. I also think our being would begin to glow, far more glorious than Moses’ face. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.