Sunday, October 11, 1998 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from II Kings 5:1-14, we learned about the importance of using helpful words to make a difference in other people's lives. It is good for us to know that we can make a difference in someone's life simply by how we use our most powerful device, our tongue. Our words can help and uplift. They can hurt and embarrass, or they can be used to try to control someone. As Christians, we should learn to always use our words responsibly. May we never be the cause of another person's hurt. As much as possible, may we always speak words that lead others to our Lord. In II Kings 5:1-4, a young, Jewish slave girl was given the opportunity to say a few words to the wife of someone in need, and her words proved to be the start of real change in that man's life. Sometimes, people do not know how to deal with or what to say in the midst of another person's tragedy, but this young girl did not let her own self-doubts keep her tongue silent. The man in need was Naaman. He was a great commander in the Syrian army, but he was also a leper and a man with a great need. The young Israeli girl said a simple word to Naaman's wife at just the right time. She told his wife about a prophet in Samaria, named Elisha, and said that he could help.
In II Kings 5:4-8, Naaman was given permission by his king to go to Israel for a cure. When he arrived in Samaria, the king of Israel was shocked and frightened by Namaan's appearance. After all, the leader of a great army was at his doorstep, and the Israeli king had not expected him. Elisha, knowing that Naaman's sudden appearance would cause alarm, sent words to the king of Israel to reassure him that everything would be all right. When Elisha communicated with Naaman, as is recorded in II Kings 5:9-12, the prophet told him to go wash seven times in the Jordan River. At first, Naaman was insulted because his pride told him that that was not a legitimate cure. But then, his servants convinced him that washing in the Jordan River was a small thing to do if it meant really being healed. When Naaman was finally persuaded to do as he had been instructed, he was instantly healed. The point in this part of the account is that people sometimes need encouragement in the midst of their own personal crisis. After he was healed, Naaman was very grateful, and he praised God and gave Him the glory.
Naaman had much for which to be thankful. First, a young, Jewish girl had told his wife where he could go for help. Then, a prophet of God had told him how he could be helped, and finally, his own servants had encouraged him to be obedient. As Christians, we can tell others where they can go for help. We can point them to Christ and then encourage them to go to Him. None of us have the power to help ourselves, but our Lord can meet all our needs. In return for His help, our duty to Him is to be faithful - faithful to walk in His ways, faithful to tell others about Him, and faithful to give Him the honor and glory that He so much deserves. As you go through the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to use you to serve Him by using you to serve others.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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