NAAMAN’S LITTLE HOUSE GIRL (MAID)

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SERIES: LIVING HOPE

MESSAGE: NAAMAN’S LITTLE HOUSEGIRL.

TEXT: 2 KINGS 5:1-19.

INTRODUCTION

Naaman’s little house girl had living hope. She was born free in the land of Israel, but was reduced to a slave in Syria. Yet she had no thought of ill faith. No revenge was found in her heart. She could have rejoiced in her master’s affliction, but instead, the little maid thought of how Mr. Naaman could be headed. Naaman was a very important man in the Syrian empire. That time Assyria was the superpower of the world. The Syrians were known for their brutality on their captives.

Naaman was the general of the Syrian army second in command only the king, emperor. Indeed this man called Naaman was a man of great authority, influence and position. Sadly, there was a big anomaly in his life. This anomaly was causing him sleepless night, weeks, months and years. Naaman was a leper. Lepers had to be separated from the rest of the people and family. Naaman could not sleep in the same bed with his wife! He could not greet or hug his children. He was a lonely, separated man, from the rest of the people including his juniors in the Syrian army. No one could exchange clothes with Naaman, no one came near him, he remotely led the Syrian army. He was a miserable man.

Naaman had great achievements, medals and letters after his name, but Naaman was a leper. Such is the nature of human kind. Miserable-Naaman was a leper.

• The name Naaman means “radiant, pleasant, delightful, gracious and beautiful” yet he was a leper.
• Humans, we may have beautiful names, appear beautiful and delightful, but deep we are sinners and lepers in our hearts.
• Naaman was an irony! Leprosy destroyed his beauty.
• Naaman had everything going for him, except leprosy.
• In this world everyone looks normal until you get to know them!
• Naaman was a very wealthy man, respected in the community, but afflicted with a disease money could not cure.
• In the ancient world, leprosy was a death sentence because it was incurable. He occupied a powerful position in the government, admired, followed and respected but leprosy turned him into an object of ridicule, shame and reproach.
• Despite his impeccable military records, Naaman was sick, outcast.
• Naaman was a professional, loved by many but non of his friends could assist him.
• Since his youth, Naaman fought and won many battles for the Syrians yet leprosy defeated him.
• He had destroyed many foreign armies, but he himself was being destroyed by leprosy.
• Naaman was very well connected, but his connections could not help him.
• Physicians, healers, prophets and bishops could not assist Naaman!! They also needed help for themselves.
• The gods and spirits of Syrian could not heal Naaman!!
• Without cure Naaman was doomed to a life of shame, isolation, humiliation, misery, only an act of God could help Naaman.
• From unlikely source, God sent Naaman help, “For I, the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not, I will help you”-Isaiah 41:13.
• Naaman’s wife had been given a maid, a young girl from Israel.
• We really don’t know this girl, even the Bible does not give or mention her name, family or tribe.
• But she was from the northern kingdom-Israel.
• The Syrians were a terror to Israel and finally Syria conquered Israel in 826 BC taking the entire Israel kingdom into captivity to date 2022 AD almost 3,000 years ago!!
• Through no choice of her own, she was taken away from her home, family, friends and all that was familiar to her.
• This girl must have wept bitterly, but she had no way out, she settled in Syria, a slave in a home where there was leprosy!! But she was faithful to her mistress.
• On a certain day, she saw Naaman’s leprosy and she felt very sorry for Naaman. She had compassion for Naaman and his family.
• This little girl remembered the man of God Elisha in Israel. She remembered her faith in God, she had faith in the God of Israel. She spoke to her mistress. Let us notice:

1. IN HOPELESSNESS IN NAAMAN’S SITUATIONS-SHE HAD HOPE AND FAITH-Heb. 11:1-2; Isaiah 43:2.

• Jesus Christ invites you to come as you are. Every time you feel weary, discouraged and troubled, Jesus Christ says “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”-Matt.11 28.
• He promises relief, rest, refreshment and restoration for weary souls. What are you waiting for? Come to Him today.
• Turning away from sin brings you closer to God. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”-James 4:8.
• Sin interrupts our fellowship with God so the first step to a restored relationship with God is confession of sin and repentance-1^st John 1:9.
• Forgive: The little house girl that bore no grudge against the people who caused her so much pain.
• Regardless of how you have been hurt by others, we must forgive the person that hurt us.
• Don’t be bitter, bitterness, anger and unforgiveness are typical responses to injustices, but we must not go there.
• Seek healing from damages caused by past by past hurts.
• God wants you to move on towards the future. He has planned for you to move on to a future filled with hope and new beginnings.
• Pour your heart to God, ask for courage to break free of whatever is binding you to the past.
• Invite God to help you understand His purpose for your life and give you a vision for the new beginning He has for you-Isaiah 48:18-19.
• Have faith; despite living in an idolatrous nation, the little girl maintained her faith in Jehovah her God.
• Is trouble shaking your faith in God? Trust Him today.
• Wherever God has placed you, serve! Let your light shine, “You are the light of the world”-Matt. 5:14.
• If others are going to hear about Jesus Christ, they are going to hear it from you. “Let your light shine before men, that they see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven”-Matt. 5:16.
• Love and care for God’s children. We all need to love and care for those who surround us enough to share the good news with them.
• Until you care, you will remain silent. Until you love them, you will judge them-Mark 12:30-31.
• Witness for Christ to others. If the little house girl had said nothing of Prophet Elisha, Naaman would have died a leper.
• Today, there is a prophet greater than Elisha.
• Are you witnessing for Jesus to others? What are you waiting for? Start today.

2. THE LITTLE SLAVE HOUSE GIRL WAS FAITHFUL IN SMALL THINGS-Luke 16:10.

• “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.”
  • The unnamed maid of Naaman was insignificant to the world, but she was and had a very important task for her to do.
  • God used her to bring about the healing of Naaman.
  • God knows you by name. Even when your effort is not recorded in the records of men, He has a record of all you have done.
  • God has a name of remembrance for everyone! “Then those who feared the Lord spoke one to another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and meditate on His name”-Malachi 3:16
  • You and I are not anonymous to God.
  • Your little effort is not forgotten.
  • God sees you when you faithfully serve Him. We may not see you, but God sees.
  • Not all of us are called to be Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Peter, Deborah or virgin Mary, but we all have a part to play in the kingdom.
  • Many may not notice your contribution, may not appreciate your service to God, but God notices and your effort is written in the book of remembrance which is before God in heaven!!

3. WHO IS NAAMAN IN YOUR LIFE?

• The person or persons who have prevented you from experiencing the life you wanted.
• The person that brought pain to your life.
• The people in your life that you wish had leprosy.
• The person that does his best to keep you from seeing that your situation is a prison cell, not a place of divine service.
• Have you forgiven them? Will you forgive them today?
• Are you strong enough to point them to Jesus Christ, the great physician and healer of our lives?
• If you want to resume a broken relationship with God, ask Jesus to come into your life now.

CONCLUSION-Prayer points

• Father, thank you for using me as an instrument of your love, in Jesus name.
• O Lord help me to have a deeper relationship with you, In Jesus name.
• Dear God, you have placed significant value on the little things in my life. Help me to be faithful in Jesus name.
• Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer.