June 7, 2025
Small things can make a big difference
Read: 2 Kings 5, 6; Proverbs 7; John 11: 28-57
Scripture: 2 Kings 5: 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."...20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
Observation: In 2 Kings 5, we read about two servants: one was an unknown servant girl who was a captive and served Naaman's wife, and another person was Gehazi, the servant of Elisha. Although Naaman was a great man of reputation and bravery, "he had leprosy" (v.1). When the young girl came to know about her master's sickness, she told her mistress to send Naaman to the prophet in Israel in order to get healing. Even the king of Israel had no idea of how to deal with Naaman's leprosy (v.7). However, when Naaman obeyed Elisha's words, he got miraculous healing. Naaman was healed and became a transformed person without spending a single shekel (out of the large quantity of silver and shekels of gold he brought, v.5). His flesh was restored like that of a young boy. With the young girl's simple act, Naaman came to know who the God of Israel was and became determined not to worship any other god but Yahweh (v.15,17).
On the other hand, we read about the greedy servant Gehazi, who was disappointed by Elisha's refusal to accept any gifts from Naaman. His heart was on the silver and dresses that were with Naaman. So he went after Naaman and deceived him with a lie to get some silver. With the silver Gehazi received from Naaman, he could have bought a city like Samaria. (compare the value, v.5:23 and 1 Kings 16:24). Gehazi might have had grand plans to spend the money. His actions suggest that he was careful to hide his treacherous act from all. However, his master Elisha exposed Gehazi's lies and wrongdoing when he returned to him. Eventually, Naaman's leprosy came upon Gehazi and his descendants as a generational curse.
These two incidents in the narrative of the healing of Naaman remind us that our priority should be on helping people who are suffering from diseases and difficulties, not on worldly possessions. Our simple or small acts could significantly change the lives of people around us. Like the young girl, we can do good even to those who did evil to us. Alternatively, we could go after worldly things and possessions, like Gehazi. The choice is ours to choose whether to do good or evil. Let us remember: "A man reaps what he sows" (Gal.6:7).
Application: My God uses ordinary people to reveal his power and glory. My small effort to help people get the healing touch of God can bring significant changes in their lives. Money, wealth, and status cannot solve all the problems of human life. Nevertheless, my faith in God can move mountains even if it is as small as a mustard seed (Mt.17:20).
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your presence among your people. Lord, help me to guide people to know you and your power. "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Amen.
✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day – 158