Devotional by Angela Jackson, Tower of Hope Ministries Graduate, 2021

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.” And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.”

II Kings 5:1-4, 15 NKJV

The scripture tells us this girl was taken from her hometown to serve a people who snatched her from the place she was familiar with. Her situation changed in an instant as she was taken from the place she felt most comfortable, to a very uncomfortable place with an uncomfortable assignment— to serve the people who uprooted her!

There were so many reasons for her to hate these people and especially not to help them! She could’ve been bitter, but instead, she wanted to help her master be better — so she shared the power of her God. Most of us would’ve at least been walking around with an attitude in our hearts. Thinking, “that’s his problem”, “I hope he dies!” However, she showed compassion in her wilderness and pointed them in the right direction WITH A MENTION! She simply mentioned God’s ability to her mistress!

God can use us in the worst situations. In fact, that’s where His glory is revealed most. We may be feeling looked over, abused, or taken advantage of. We can choose to be bitter or better in our hard places. The scripture admonishes us to bless them that curse us and pray for those that mistreat us. This is the way to truly reflect the Most High. Luke 6:28

She yielded to her circumstance, instead of bucking, resisting, and complaining. As a result, people were able to see there’s no greater God than the God of Israel.

Prayer:

Dear God, Help me to bend and not buck! Help me to remember You’re right there with me in my hard place. Help me to humble myself, knowing it’s not about me, but that Your glory may be revealed and Your Kingdom expanded. Lord You are good no matter the situation! I give you all the praise! In Jesus’ name, Amen!