Simple devotions written by Pastor Paul & Dixie

A Lesson from Naaman

The king of Syria had high admiration for Naaman, the commander-in-chief of his army, for he had led his troops to many glorious victories. So he was a great hero, but he was a leper.
​2 Kings 5:1


Naaman was a powerful Assyrian leader with a fatal flaw. He had leprosy, a disease that did not discriminate. Even though he was a man in a position of military power and influence, he was susceptible to a common man's illness.

Naaman’s army had captured a young Hebrew girl, who was given to Naaman’s wife as a servant. This girl never forgot what she had learned among the Hebrews about God’s power and faithfulness. When she learned about Naaman’s disease, she had the courage to share about the miracles the prophet Elisha had done in the Lord’s name. She was convinced if Naaman could meet Elisha, he would be cured of his disease.

Permission was granted for Naaman to travel to Israel to meet with the prophet, but when he arrived at Elisha’s house, he was shocked and insulted that the prophet didn’t come out to talk with him. Instead, Elisha sent instructions to Naaman to go wash seven times in the muddy Jordan River. Naaman was offended. He felt he was too important to bathe in the dirty Jordan River.

Naaman’s servants loved him. They approached him and said, “If the prophet had told you to do something mighty and difficult, wouldn’t you do it? Why don’t you just go ahead and do the simple task he is asking.”

Naaman humbled himself and obeyed the prophet’s instructions. He dipped himself in the Jordan River exactly as he was instructed—seven times. When he came up out of those waters, he was completely healed.

Many of God’s children feel they are called to serve Him, but when lowly acts of service are presented, they respond like Naaman. "I refuse to dip into the muddy Jordan. This is not what I expected serving the Lord and His kingdom to look like. I am capable of so much more.”

But then the Holy Spirit reminds us, "If I had told you to do some great and mighty thing, you would have done it. Can you do this humble service for Me?"

Sometimes people say, "God has big plans for my life." But when the Lord opens a humble door of service they are discouraged because it wasn’t the “big plans” they were expecting. They would rather do nothing than something they feel is “beneath” them.

Oh, how God needs “little” leaders. Those who aren’t too big to serve in small ways.

Begin serving where you are. Don't let what appears to be lowly service stop you from being a blessing. Kingdom principles are radically different than our self-serving society: the way up is down. If you want to be great, serve. Making Jesus known is more important than promoting a selfish agenda.

What a valuable lesson of obedience we can learn from Naaman’s story. There is no service too small. Whatever the Lord needs us to do, let us do it with all our heart.

Work at everything you do with all your heart. Colossians 3:23

Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled. (2 Samuel 4:4 NLT)


The Old Testament has many types and shadows of Jesus hidden in its pages. One great example is the story of King David and Mephibosheth.

King Saul had a crippled grandson named Mephibosheth. He was Jonathan’s son. Jonathan and David were best friends growing up. David was very sad when King Saul and Jonathan died. One day after David became king, he was reminiscing about the special friendship he shared with Jonathan and asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1)

A loyal servant spoke up and told King David about Mephibosheth. Kings usually eliminate any former king’s bloodline, but not King David. He had other plans for Mephibosheth. He invited him to come to the palace. A frightened Mephibosheth arrived and King David did his best to welcome him.

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:7-8)

Many of us are like Mephibosheth—crippled in some way. Someone who should have taken care of us has disappointed us. Maybe we have had a painful childhood, riddled with abuse or neglect. Possibly the adults in our lives “dropped” us. We might feel “crippled” by our upbringing, wishing we had been given the opportunities others have had. Painful experiences like these can cause us to “limp” through life. These negative circumstances can make our heart bitter and hard, but because of the grace and kindness of a humble King named Jesus, broken hearts can beat again with hope. He is quick to let us know that if we accept His invitation and place our lives in His hands, our sad beginning can have a very happy ending. He never leaves us stranded in the dark abyss of hopelessness. He is our King and He requests our presence at His table. It’s true. He invites beggars to banquets and cripples to dance.

If you feel “crippled” by your circumstances, lift up your head. The King’s invitation has arrived. You might ask, “Where is my invitation?” If you look, you will find it nailed to a tree—the Cross of Jesus. The Bible teaches that whosoever will may come. “Whosoever” means you. From this moment on and for all eternity, you are a special guest at King Jesus’ table.

And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table. ( 2 Samuel 9:13 NIV)

The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” (Revelation 19:9 MSG)

Welcome to the King’s Table