Little Thoughts, April 2, 2025

By Pastor Sammy Little, First Baptist Church of Stowell

  2 Kings 5 gives us the story of Naaman, a Syrian general who caught leprosy. He is told that there is a prophet in Israel (Elisha) who can heal him and as there is no other cure off he goes. (Jesus mentions that there were many lepers in Israel but none of them were healed except Naaman the Syrian.) Once healed Naaman wanted to reward Elisha but he refused to accept anything. Elisha’s assistant Gehazi schemed to get some of that reward so he goes after Naaman and tells him a lie about some trainee prophets arriving that needed some money and clothes. Naaman eagerly provided it and Gehazi snuck them into his house. He thought he had pulled a fast one but Elisha tells him it all had been revealed to him and asked him if now was a time to get rich and to pursue worldly things? Elisha said that Naaman’s leprosy would be on Gehazi, and it was. Gehazi was the assistant to a great man of God. He had seen and experienced many miracles and somehow he thought he could have his cake and eat it too. Nope. Pursue the things of God as they are life and joy. God knows we need money and things and will provide them in His time and way. Do not get ahead of God or forget that He sees and knows all. God’s ways are not our ways so be careful going our ways.