“And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.” (2 Kings 5:2)

Naaman was the captain of the armies of the king of Syria. The Bible says that Naaman “was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper” (verse 1). The “little maid” of Naaman’s wife went to her mistress and told her how her husband, Naaman, could be healed of his leprosy. The little maid told her of the prophet Elisha that dwelt in Samaria; and if Naaman would go to him, he would be healed.

Naaman did go to Elisha and eventually submitted to Elisha’s instructions of dipping his body seven times in the River Jordan, and he was healed of his leprosy. The Bible says in 2 Kings 5:14b, “and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

The result was not only Naaman’s outward leprosy was healed, but his inward leprosy was also healed. God opened up his heart to see (verse 15b), “Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel…”

The “little maid’s” testimony of the healing power of the God of Israel changed Naaman’s life forever, in this life and in eternity.

I wonder what was in the little maid’s mind when she was captured by the Syrian Army and carried captive from her homeland to a strange foreign land. She may have asked, “God, what have I done wrong to have to suffer captivity? God, where am I going? What will I be doing?” She may have even suffered fear of being beaten, raped, or even imprisoned, or worst, tortured unto death.  She may have entertained the idea that she was a nobody, just a little slave girl now. What good would she be for God as a slave to the Syrians?

The Bible does not speak of all that the little maid may have considered as she was carried to Syria as a captive. But, human nature has not changed. When resistance comes in our life; when we are displaced out of our comfort zone; when things happen in our life that don’t make any sense; it is natural to question God as to, “Why?” Why do we do this? It is because we operate in the flesh and not in the Spirit. We walk by sight and not by faith when we question God and His appointments for our life. If only we could see what God sees, then we could rest in God’s movements in our life.

Our example in 2 Kings 5:2 does not tell us how long the little maid was in captivity. It doesn’t tell us the toils of her daily life; nor of her inward struggles of being away from home, from family, etc. It only records one little conversation to her mistress; only one word of witness of the power of her God, the God of Israel. But look at the results of her stand for her God.

Nothing is recorded of the “little maid” except that one conversation to Naaman’s wife. But, God thought it was important enough to preserve her witness for God and of His power, for all ages to read and to see the value of something so small in the eyes of man, but used so greatly by God.

God doesn’t need us, for He could do it all by Himself. However, God has ordained that He use His people to be a witness of the Ministry of Reconciliation. So in that light, He does need us to carry out His Will.

Obadiah was a faithful servant of God as the steward of King Ahab’s and Queen Jezebel’s household. Jezebel had ordered the death of God’s prophets; and Obadiah spared 100 of God’s prophets by hiding them in a cave and feeding them bread and water. One little act of faithfulness to God spared 100 of God’s prophets.

How important are the “little people” in God’s service? Jesus said in Matthew 19:30, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” When God hands out His rewards for service in His Kingdom, the “little people” who were faithful over a few things shall be made rulers over many (Matthew 25:21).

Jesus taught the Apostles a great lesson in the value of the widow woman’s gift to the treasury in Mark 12:43-44, “…Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  (44) For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” This widow had only cast in a few pennies, but God noted it as more than all the rest, because she gave out of her want and they gave out of their abundance.

It is this kind of love for God that God notes and rewards. God sees our heart; He sees our motives; and He sees when we give our all unto Him and for His Name’s sake, no matter how small it may be to those around us.

God is no respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of faithfulness; even the little people’s sacrifices for His Cause and Honor.

Be encouraged, child of God, even though you have been removed from your normal life; moved to an environment that you have never been in before; even have been placed in the Valley of the Shadow of Death – for here you will learn of God’s supply, here your soul will be restored. Here is your opportunity to speak out for God; here you will fulfill your God-ordained appointment as Job did. As one said before, “God did not call us to be successful, but only to be faithful.”

So, as you kneel in prayer to begin your day, say, “God, help me not to complain of my present situation. Help me God to keep my eyes fastened upon bringing You honor and glory in every opportunity that You give me today. Ever so small God, let my every word and my every deed be a witness for You today.”

What a great testimony of pointing a sin-sick soul to the God of Israel, the God of Elisha, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Healer of our sin sickness.

(Previously posted on January February 10, 2011.)