A FIRE THAT BURNS IN A LOWLY HEART

If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on for centuries and into eternity, you don’t have to have a high IQ or a high EQ. You don’t have to have good looks or riches. You don’t have to come from a fine family or a fine school. You just have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things, and be set on fire by them”. John Piper

These were the opening words to the famous sermon by John Piper called’ DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE’. The point he was making to his young audience was that greatness comes from, living a passionate life for the glory of God. As we explore this topic, I would like to draw your attention to a story from the Old Testament. 

THE POOR SERVANT GIRL 

During the time of Elisha’s ministry, a servant girl said something that had a ripple effect on kings and nations. Not only that it had eternal significance. What she said reached two kings but also became a testimony of sacred scripture. 

This Israelite girl was trapped in captivity in a foreign land, but she knew a few great, majestic, obvious, simple, glorious things that set her heart on fire (2 Kings 5:2). Although, she was poor and powerless she had what her rich and powerful master lacked.

The servant girl of Naaman’s wife knew the eternal, holy God of Israel. She believed in the God who delivered her ancestors from slavery in Egypt and carried them to the promised land. The truth of God was her comfort and hope.

Amazingly, the unhappiness of the girl was an avenue for God’s glory. Despite her pagan household, she boldly declares her faith in the Almighty God.

But the question is, how can she speak about God so boldly? It appears that the love of God compelled her (2 Corinthians 5:14). The conviction of her faith caused her to be courageous. The beauty and majesty of God burns in her lowly heart.

THE GIRL SIMPLE FAITH IN GOD

She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3 ESV

We need to consider that this servant girl was taken by the invading Syrian army. However, she could have been bitter and resentful but she was forgiving to the wicked General who destroyed her life. 

Prior to the servant girl confession, Elisha had not healed anyone from leprosy in Israel but the girl believed that God is powerful to cleanse a Syrian of leprosy. She spoke of glorious things as she signposted Namaan to the Prophet Elisha in Samaria. 

So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” 2 Kings 5:4-5 ESV

In response to the servant girl claim, the desperate terminally ill Army General took his chances to get healed. He trusted the words of the servant girl and conveyed her words to his own king (2 Kings 5:6). 

And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” 2 King 5:7 ESV

In contrast to the slave girl’s faith, the king of Israel view of God was inadequate. 

His response to Naaman’s request was misplaced. As the king of Israel, he should have known the greatness of God but his heart disposition was self-centred. However, Elisha rightly rebuked the king and summoned Naaman to show him the power and glory of God.

And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 2 Kings 5:10 ESV

Naaman had issues with the prescription for his healing, as Elisha cuts through his pride. He was expecting something rather sophisticated but the command was unexpectedly simple (2 Kings 5:11-12).

The theme of simple faith from servants runs through this story. Just like the little servant girl who had faith to declare the power of God. So also, was Naaman’s servant, who encouraged his master to trust in the instructions of Elisha (2 Kings 5:13).

THE SALVATION OF HER MASTER 

So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 2 Kings 5:14 ESV

The proud army General wisely humbled himself and was healed. His skin becomes like that of a little child. This was a great reflection of the little girl’s faith. Amazingly, her simple faith had a ripple effect.

The miraculous healing of Naaman was the revelation of God’s glory and power through His Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:15). It was the sovereign Lord who gave Israel into the hands of Naaman and Syria. So also, he healed and saved him (2 Kings 5:1).

This story shows the sovereignty of God in saving anyone He chooses through a faithful person. The end result of the miracle was the glory of God and the salvation of Naaman. 

As we can tell from the story, the servant girl became great because of what she knew and boldly professed.

You see,  it’s not what we have but who we know and worship. In an hostile environment, Christians are called to share their faith, as this was the case for the servant girl.

As people of God let’s bring glory to God through proclaiming the One who is great. Greatness is not found in wealth, education or high position. But in knowing the great God and declaring His great name. Hence, we discover that the humble servant girl heart burns with passion for the glory of God. Lastly, the salvation of Naaman was a shadow of the mass salvation of the Gentiles in the New Covenant.