The Abducted Girl

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the lord his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! (2 Kings 5:1-14 NLT)

We usually fear the worse when we hear of a child abduction.  And rightfully so as it rarely ends well.  But here we have a story of a victim of war where God was very much involved.  The Arameans and the Israelites were on again, off again enemies.  At worst they were meeting on the battle field and at best they were keeping an uneasy peace.  Either side might conduct the odd raid just to keep animosity alive and well.  Israel had the upper hand when they were faithful to God.  Not so much when they did not trust the Lord.  And Aram was actually related to Israel.  Laban the father of Leah and Rachel was an Aramean.  And they were not without a faith in God as it says the Aramean king recognized that God used his army commander Namaan to bring victory.

And so we read of a young Israelite girl that was captured in a raid.  We are not given her name.  She would probably have been between nine and twelve as much older she would have been considered wife material.  We are not told of the fate of her parents or other family members.  Maybe they died in the raid or were simply separated from their daughter.  Assuming they were alive they would have no way of knowing what happened to her anymore than she would have known what happened to them.  But the goodness of God  had made her part of a household where, though described as a maid, she appears to have been treated more like a daughter.  There is a good chance that the leprous Naaman and his wife had no children.  Extreme skin conditions do not make for physical intimacy.  And the girl was obviously not living in fear of speaking her mind.  She had a genuine love for her mistress and her husband.  Otherwise she would not have spoken of a way for her master to be healed.  She would have just remained silent cursing him, along with all of Aram, in her heart.  But rather we see revealed a compassionate heart of faith.  I can only imagine her parents had instilled this faith from her earliest remembrance.  Her new Aramean home was probably not big into family devotions.  But her parents had probably told her,

"We are the people of the living God with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as our fore fathers.  Israel went down to Egypt to survive a famine but ended up enslaved.  Through Moses God did many miracles delivering us from Egypt and bringing us into this land.  Our king is not living for God as he should but your mother and I trust The Lord even so.  And God has not abandoned his people as there is still a prophet in Samaria whom God works through.  No matter what happens you can trust our God."

And in simple child-like faith she must have accepted those words.  Her parent's faith became hers.  And so she said, "I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”  This word of faith set in motion a series of events that brought God's blessing involving an army general, two kings and a prophet.

"So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!"

So if God can work through the faith of an abducted child of war, what would he do through us if we would trust Him?  He remains the God of endless possibilities.

The Shepherds and a Criminal

Both at the very beginning and the very end of his life Jesus had a significant influence on ordinary people.  The wise men followed a star but the angels came to the shepherds.  I would think they were God fearing Israelites simply going about their business, as it were.  They certainly were not centers of influence.  Had the angels missed their coordinates?  I think not.  God in His wisdom decided that the most ordinary unnoticed people would be the first to hear of the Messiah's birth.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:8-15 NLT)

At the end of his life Jesus hung dying between two criminals.  We don't know the crime but one confessed that they were getting what they deserved.  So I have to think the deed was more than stealing a loaf of bread.  Perhaps they were highwaymen that robbed and killed travelers - as those who left the victim for dead in the story of the Good Samaritan.  And it is highly unlikely they had previously encountered Jesus.  Maybe they had been his disciples for a time and then fallen away - highly doubtful.  But they had just spent the last hours of there lives walking up the same road and now hanging on a similar cross as Jesus.  They would have heard his words.  Words that gave his mother into the care of another.  Words that prayed, "forgive them for they don't know what they are doing".  Words that admonished the daughters of Jerusalem to pity themselves and not him for what would soon come upon them. In any case, for one of them, Jesus become more than just another man suffering a common fate.  In the matter of a couple of hours, the one criminal,

• Acknowledged his own guilt
• Recognized that Jesus was guiltless 
• Was aware that Jesus could help him after death
• Appealed to Jesus to remember him in His kingdom
• Received assurance that he would be with Jesus

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-43 NLT)

Jesus, first helpless as a baby and second helpless as a condemned man, impacted the lives of ordinary men for time and eternity.  He entered life making a difference and left it doing the same.

Psalm Sprints

What is a Psalm Sprint?

The Psalm Sprint is an on-demand Bible reading methodology. Take the current day of the month and read the corresponding Psalm from the Bible (version your choice). Then add thirty to the day and read that Psalm. Continue this until count exceeds one hundred and fifty – the last Psalm. E.g. Today is January 28th, so you would read Psalms 28, 58, 88, 118 and 148. You will always have five Psalms to read except for the 31st of those months with 31 days.

Why do a Psalm Sprint?

The Psalm Sprint will definitely pick you if you are at all feeling in need of some spiritual encouragement. As you read you will identify with the complaining, mourning, appealing, praying and thanksgiving chronicled. This is an augment to, not a replacement for, your daily Bible reading – use one of the many good read the complete Bible in a year guides that are available. But sometimes we need a boost, like the athlete that consumes extra calories as part of their training regimen.

How fast is the “sprint” in the Psalm Sprint?

The term “sprint” has more to do with volume of material read rather than the velocity of the actual reading. Give yourself whatever time you need to consider the thoughts being expressed. Underline, highlight and journal what you hear God speaking to you. You should find a continuity and correlation in the Psalms’ contents.

Will the Psalm Sprint really work?

Do not underestimate the power of God’s Word. It is the principal way we gain insight into the mind and heart of God. Remember that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, naturally speaking. The Bible tells us His foolishness (a term used just to help us to understand) exceeds the loftiest wisdom of man. God’s Spirit speaking through God’s Word can give you:

· Wisdom to make the right decisions

· Grace to endure in difficult circumstances

· Clear thinking to speak the right words in the right way

I guarantee that we will all face difficult circumstances. The Psalm Sprint can be one of your tools to find God’s way through. Give it a try.

Scattered or Slaughtered

This article could as well have been named "Leadership Lessons from the Bible", but "Scattered or Slaughtered" sounds more interesting. I will compare the leaderships of Saul and David to show how their actions affected the people of their nation. Now, as then, we have the ability to choose whom we will support and follow. This does not only apply to religious matters but reaches into every area of life – where we work and who we support politically as examples.

We all have and use two very important votes whether we recognise it or not. These two votes are quite apart from our right to political vote. We vote with our money and our feet - where we spend our resources and our time. Let’s assume all my earning, spending and giving is chronicled using a bank account or credit card. Just by reviewing my bank and credit card statements for a three-month period, you would come to know me very well. Even though I remove all personal references (name, address etc.), you would have a fairly accurate picture of who I am and what I value. My charitableness or lack thereof, would be evident. How much I like to eat out would be there. My fondness for entertainment or sports would be obvious from my trips to the theatre or golf course. All this is said to emphasize that we need to use these two votes when it comes to supporting a leader – whether it be a church leader, a corporate boss or a government official.

We will see from the Bible that there are two attributes necessary for good leadership – integrity and competency. Saul fell short in the area of integrity early in his kingship and was subsequently rejected by God. First we see Samuel anointing Saul as Israel’s first king,

1Sa 10:1 And Samuel took a vial of oil and poured on his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because Jehovah has anointed you for a leader over His inheritance?

And we go on to read that Saul functioned as a capable leader and military general for about three years (1Sa 13:1). Then he read of his first lapse in integrity that eventually cost him his life and the throne. He disobeyed God by not waiting for Samuel to come to offer a sacrifice. Samuel did show up on time but not until the last possible moment – this was possibly God testing Saul’s faithfulness.

1Sa 13:11,12 And Samuel said, What have you done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and you did not come in the days appointed, and the Philistines gathered themselves at Michmash, and I said, The Philistines will come down now on me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to Jehovah. And I forced (Italics mine) myself and offered a burnt offering.

Do you know of a leader that has ‘forced’ an action when they would have been better off waiting? A leader motivated by fear will not make sound decisions.

1Sa 13:13,14 And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Jehovah your God, which He commanded you. For now Jehovah would have established your kingdom on Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not stand. Jehovah has sought Him a man after His own heart, and Jehovah has appointed him to be leader over His people, because you have not kept what Jehovah commanded you.

Again we read of Saul being given a command and then disobeying. This might have been a second chance for him but again he blew it.

1Sa 15:9-11 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fatlings and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not completely destroy them. But everything that was vile and feeble they completely destroyed. And the Word of Jehovah came to Samuel saying, It repents Me that I have set up Saul to be king. For he has turned back from following Me and has not done My commands. And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to Jehovah all night.
1Sa 15:21-24 But the people took from the spoil, of the flocks and herd, the best of the things devoted to sacrifice to Jehovah your God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Does Jehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice! To listen is better than the fat of rams! For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idol-worship. Because you have rejected the Word of Jehovah, He has also rejected you from being king! And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned. For I have disobeyed the command of Jehovah, and your word, because I feared (Italics mine) the people and obeyed their voice.

Again we see an action motivated by fear rather than faith. His soldiers probably would have needed some influencing as taking booty was part of warfare. Destroying perfectly good livestock would not make any sense. In any case we have no record of Saul giving any kind of command to his army of 210,000 men. Saul had a rebellious and stubborn streak which he carried to the grave.

Next we read about God choosing David as king.

1Sa 16:1 And Jehovah said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem. For I have seen a king for Me among his sons.

David went on to prove himself as an able warrior and general in Saul’s army. First he killed Goliath. As an army commander he went on to lead many successful sorties against Israel’s enemies. He became both Saul’s son-in-law and the best friend of Saul’s son Jonathan. Talk about "keep your friends close and your enemies closer"! Saul soon recognized that God had determined for David to be Israel’s next king.

1Sa 18:12, 16 And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him and had departed from Saul. And Saul moved him away from himself, and made him his commander over a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways. And Jehovah was with him. And when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

But rather than transitioning control to David, Saul tried to kill David. First he tried to spear him forcing David to become a fugitive.

1Sa 22:1-2 And David left there and escaped to the cave Adullam. And his brothers and all his father's house heard, and went down to him there. And every man in distress, and every man who had a creditor, and every man bitter of soul, gathered themselves to him. And he became commander over them. And about four hundred men were with him.

So now we find David the leader of what can only be described as a "motley crew". We know some of them were inspired by the same faith that David held, but many were just there out of self-interest. David twice has opportunity to kill Saul when Saul is hunting him. Each time, with his men encouraging him otherwise, he refrains to do so fearing to touch God’s anointed.

1Sa 26:8-11 And Abishai said to David, God has shut up your enemy into your hand this day. And please let me strike him with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not repeat it to him. And David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him. For who can stretch forth his hand against Jehovah's anointed and be guiltless? And David said, As Jehovah lives, except Jehovah strike him, or his day shall come, and he dies, or he goes down to battle and is consumed, far be it from me by Jehovah, from putting forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed. And now, please take the spear at his head and the cruse of water, and we will go.

David fears God more than man. He could have easily accepted Abishai’s rationalizing that this was even an opportunity from God. Most would have. Finally Saul is removed from the throne with his people suffering one of two fates, being slaughtered or scattered. In short, military defeat. Those who had chosen to follow David, even while Saul was hunting him, were neither killed or forced to flee.

Have you know anyone who has remained too long under a bad leader? Figuratively, they end up either slaughtered or scattered. By slaughtered I mean that a valid belief that should have been nurtured has instead been crushed. These people simply give up. Those that are scattered end up wandering looking for the genuine article - they are survivors but are scarred.

1Sa 31:1-7 And the Philistines fought against Israel. And the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down wounded in Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went hard against Saul. And the archers hit him, and he was sorely wounded by the archers. And Saul said to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised ones come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not, for he was very much afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell on it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him. And Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, that same day together. And the men of Israel beyond the valley, and who were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled and that Saul and his sons had died. And they abandoned the cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.

In the book of 2nd Samuel we see David established as king of Israel. Not that David was perfect always, but he was commended as being one whose heart was right towards God. David was quick to repent when confronted with murder and adultery. He did not make excuses. We read in Psalm 78:

Psa 78:70-72 He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes great with young He brought him to feed Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. And he fed them according to the pureness of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (italics mine)

David is commended both for integrity (pureness of his heart) and competency (skillfulness of his hands). We need similar leaders in every area of society. Saul was competent but fell short in the area of integrity. In our churches, businesses and in government, men and women are needed who "do the right thing" and "do the thing right". We are under no obligation to support those who fall short in these areas.

Let your prayer be that God will grant us honest and competent leaders, and that our leaders will be surrounded by councilors with these attributes.

Election 2008

Psalm 78:72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

This last verse of Psalm 78 is describing King David as both a man of integrity and competency. He had a good heart and governed with skill. The previous king, Saul, was as well a competent leader. He lead his troops into battle and Israel prospered during a significant portion of his reign. But he fell short in the area of integrity. On more than one occasion after receiving precise instructions, he chose to follow his own agenda rather than obeying. He was quick with excuses when confronted about his disobedience. On the other hand, David was quick to confess his wrongdoing when challenged about wrong motives and actions. He was answerable to no other human and could easily have disposed of his accuser. Impeachment was not an option. But instead David recognized and confessed his error.

So what does all this have to do with Election 2008? The bottom line is that the person needed in office must have integrity and competency. He or she does not have to be perfect, but does need to be a person that will own up to and correct mistakes made. Individually that person cannot be all that is required to successfully govern. What is needed is the wisdom and discernment required to select the right advisers - councillors that are as well people of integrity and competency. So here is what we need to do this election year:

1. Campaign and vote for the candidate whose track record speaks most of both honesty and skill.
2. Pray that the winner of the election will be a leader with the right qualities.
3. Regardless if your candidate wins or not, pray for your new leader.
4. Pray that he or she will be surrounded by councillors of integrity and competency.

1Ti 2:1-4 First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.