Incredible Providence

In the second book of Kings is the story of Naaman the Syrian commander who had leprosy and went to Elisha to be healed. But in the story there is mentioned a person that you might think had very hard luck. You might even say that what happened to her was just unfair!

During a Syrian raid into Israel a young girl was captured and made a slave. What an awful fate! She ended up being the servant of Naaman's wife. The circumstances that she found herself in would probably make some people, even Christians, question God's sovereignty. But this little slave girl is mentioned in the Bible because she told Naaman's wife that Elisha could heal Naaman. She didn't wish ill on her captors. She never lost faith in God. She is a really great example of how we can make the best of a bad situation, and to remember that there really isn't any chance or luck to what happens to us. God is in control. Even in where you are right now, and what you're going through, God is working out His will in your life. Look for Him past the pain, past the struggles, and past the "pity party".

Remember He is faithful to complete the good work He began in you, not forgetting that He created all the good works He has for your assignment here on earth. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:10 that "God prepared beforehand" the good works created for us in Jesus, "that we should walk in them." It is more LIVING in good works than DOING good works. They aren't ingenious ideas we come up with from our own imaginations. God has pre-prepared all that He wants us to live like. It's a continual way of life, not just a mission trip once a year, although that can be good.

How will we walk in good works today? How will our lives reflect His love and sacrifice? These are uncertain times we are living in, but that doesn't change God's care for us, even though, like with the slave girl, it may look like abandonment. He was still her God even after she was captured and enslaved. Could God say of us that we have the same faith in our circumstances as this girl did? It doesn't take money or power to walk in and live in a good works way.

Think pure thoughts and focus on the Way, Jesus, and you will find yourself living a life that you never thought was there. The joy in life that you seek is 100% there in the step by step following of Christ.

Your tough time has a choice, so what will you choose?