June 16, 2025
Whether it is an enjoyable book, movie, or television show, the most memorable stories usually contain a plot twist and a happy ending. It could be a story where the hero rides off into the sunset, the boy and girl fall in love forever, or the sports team wins at the last second.
When you walk away from a powerful conclusion, you feel you have received your money’s worth. The role of the underdog is well-liked and remembered by most people.
This week, we have an example of how God can use our society’s unseen or even forgotten people to do extraordinary things.
In this passage, we meet a mighty man named Naaman. He was the commander of the army of Aram, important to his master, and a valiant warrior. One more thing distinguished him from others: He had leprosy. We still live in a society where others are wrongly judged or ridiculed based on their disabilities or afflictions. It is safe to assume that Naaman suffered personal grief and was rejected by many people he met.
Naaman’s wife had a young Jewish servant girl at her convenience. This girl and Naaman were as opposite as two people could be. One yielded great power as an army commander, and the other’s only job was to perform her duties anonymously. She was the epitome of smallness and weakness.
Although she may not have had the large persona of Naaman, she was still important to God and could be used by Him.
This goes for you, me, and our churches as well. Do not sit around with the mentality that you are too insignificant to serve God. When the Father has big plans, He always begins small and with the unsuspecting.
The servant girl told Naaman’s wife that a man named Elisha could help him and heal him from his skin disease. Naaman was expecting Elisha to come to him face-to-face and solve his problem on his terms. Instead, Elisha sent word for Naaman to go to the Jordan River and wash seven times if he wanted to be healed.
Naaman became angry and did not understand why he could not use his preferred rivers instead of the Jordan. This is a good lesson for us all. How willing are we to obey the words of the Lord even if they do not make sense to us? How we respond to the words of God is a direct indication of the measure of our faith.
Naaman chose to humble himself, and the blessings began to flow! After the miracle, the Scripture reveals he had the best skin in town. He could have been the poster child for a dermatologist.
Humility, trust, and obedience are three of the brightest threads in the fabric of Scripture. Looking for a miracle? Start with those three elements. Do not be surprised when God uses someone or something you often overlook. It only takes one willing person for the glory and grace of God to be seen and encountered.
Look around your church, your family, or even in your mirror. What needs restoring in your life? Will you humble yourself and obey His Word?
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This lesson was written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi, and originally published by The Baptist Paper. This study is based on the Bible Studies for Life curriculum from Lifeway Christian Resources. The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
