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Helping Enemies

Most Christians are familiar with the story of Naaman and Elisha; however, we often overlook a very important person in this history - the slave girl. Nothing would have happened if she had not spoken up and been wiling to be a part of helping enemies.

"Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:2-3

Who was this young girl? We don't know much about her. She was taken captive by a band of raiders. Had she been in the fields and been in "the wrong place at the wrong time?" Did she dream of going home to her parents? Or had the raiders killed her parents and taken her? We don't know… but one thing we do know: through traumatic circumstances she was not where she wanted to be.

Yet as we look at this young girl's life we do not see bitterness or anger. She had come to terms with her new situation. She knew God was still in control. In spite of all that had happened to her, her faith and trust in God had not been shaken. For some reason, she did not understand, she was a prisoner in enemy territory away from all that was familiar and comforting, away from people who believed what she believed, surrounded by heathenism and idols…alone.

We need to be willing to help our enemies.

Nevertheless, she served where she was helping her enemies with genuine concern. We know she was a good servant because if she had been lazy, inept or bitter no one would have taken her suggestion serious. Plus, she would have had no thought at all of helping enemies. She would have been totally focused on herself - escape perhaps, doing as little work as possible certainly. [Many people in today’s society who are getting paid to work do as little work as possible and dream of escape to a neverland of comfort and play continually.]

How did she find out she had a opportunity of helping enemies? Perhaps she overheard Naaman telling his wife about his sickness, perhaps she had seen her mistress crying over the horrifying news, or maybe she had learned it from a gleeful fellow slave. In any case, she did not respond with joy or satisfaction - "Serves him right for kidnapping me, God's getting him for all he did to me, etc."

Instead, she saw a person in trouble and it occurred to her, "I know the solution!" She did not go to Naaman directly pushing herself above her position or trying to bargain with him - "Let me go and I'll tell you how to be healed." There was no pride or manipulation in her actions of helping her enemy. She shared what she knew with her mistress and hope was born in her that she shared with her husband…

Like this slave girl, we may find ourselves in situations, through no fault of our own, that are hurtful and discouraging. We will be tempted to anger and bitterness. We need to firmly place our trust in Jesus Christ. He walks with us even through the valleys of weeping and death. With our hand in His, we can do good even to those who do us harm - helping enemies. We can know the joy of the Lord anywhere and everywhere.

This girl may seem insignificant, but without her simple words none of the rest of this story would have happened. Lives would not have been touched and forever changed. Even Jesus mentioned this story in the New Testament.

We never know what impact a few simple words of kindness may have on someone else's life. No one is insignificant. You have purpose. But if you allow your eyes to be clouded with anger, bitterness or self-pity you will die miserable and lives with could have been impacted for the Kingdom of God will not be changed.

Others may make you a "slave" in body, but only you can make yourself a slave mentally or spiritually.

For more information about Glenn Davis, see our About Glenn page or visit Glenn Davis Books.

Please note: We no longer have the commenting feature [maybe again in the future]. Joshua Institute students who have questions or comments on their courses can use the contact button and mention the course name and lesson number in the email. Thank you. Glenn

Helping Enemies

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