Scripture Basis: 2 Kings 5:1-17, NIV
A long time ago a young girl lived in the land of Israel. She had a simple, peaceful life with her family. But one day something terrible happened. Soldiers from a foreign country came and took her away. They brought her to a new land and made her work as a servant for the wife of a powerful man named Naaman.
Naaman was the leader of an army. He was a strong, respected man, but he had a serious problem: he had leprosy, a terrible skin disease. Naaman’s skin was covered in sores, and nothing the doctors tried helped him get better. His wife was very worried, and so was everyone around him.
Even though the little servant girl was far from home, she didn’t forget about God. She remembered the stories her parents had told her about God’s love and power. And one day she saw how sad Naaman’s wife was about her husband’s illness.
“I know someone who can help him,” the little maid said quietly.
Naaman’s wife looked at her, surprised. “Who?” she asked.
“There’s a prophet in Israel named Elisha,” the little maid said. “He serves the one true God, and I know He can heal Naaman.”
Naaman’s wife hurried to tell her husband. Naaman wasn’t sure, but he was willing to try anything. He gathered some gifts and set out for Israel to find the prophet. After a long journey Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house. But Elisha didn’t even come out to see him. Instead, Elisha sent a message, telling Naaman to go wash in the Jordan River seven times.
Naaman was shocked. “What kind of healing is this?” he grumbled. “I thought the prophet would come out, wave his hand over me, and I’d be well. The rivers back home are better than the Jordan River!”
Naaman was angry and ready to leave. But his servants spoke to him gently. “Sir, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? Why not try this simple thing?”
Naaman thought about it and decided to obey. He went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself in the water once, twice, three times . . . seven times. When he came out of the water, something amazing happened: his skin was clean! The sores were gone, and his skin was as soft and smooth as a young child’s.
Naaman was so happy. He knew it wasn’t the water that had healed him—it was God. He went back to Elisha and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except the God of Israel.” From that day on, Naaman promised to worship only God.
The little maid was so glad to hear that Naaman was healed. Even though she was just a young girl, far from her home, God used her to change Naaman’s life forever.
Like the little maid, you might not always know why things happen or understand the hard times you face, but God can use your experience to help others!
Something to Think About
Have you ever felt as if you were too small or young to share with others? Why do you think the little maid didn’t give up, even though she was far from home and in a difficult situation?
