March 06, 1999, Saturday

What are normally our terms for accepting people and the

requests that they make from us? What motivates a leader

to do something good for his subordinates? What response

do we often have to requirements made of us?

The Scripture tells us that the king of Israel was suspect

of the motives of the king of Syria for requesting healing

of his great captain of valor, Naaman. It caused the king

of Israel anxiety that Syria's king was asking him a request

that was too much to ask. He was reluctant to accept Naaman-

"And it was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the

king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the

king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let

Naaman come now to me, and he shall know that there is a

prophet in Israel" (2Kings 5:8); And Elisha accepted Naaman

by faith to help him and heal him. Elisha became his friend

as he was with the dreaded leprosy disease because Naaman

believed the testimony of a young maiden that trusted God.

It is interesting to note that Naaman's king of Syria

had in his heart to do good for Naaman. This king did

not forget the good that Naaman had done for Syria. He

used the resources of Syria to offer to Israel because

he also believed the young lady that trusted God would

not fail. The king sent a messenger with the offering--

"And the king of Syria said, Go now, and I will send a

letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and

took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand

pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment" (2Kings 5:5).

The requirement given to Naaman by Elisha to be healed was

not readily accepted by Naaman. But after counsel from the

close friends of Naaman was heard, he changed his mind and

did what the prophet Elisha asked him to do. It seemed odd

to Naaman and a strange request, but he responded by faith-

"And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company,

and came, and stood before him; and he said, Behold now, I

know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel:

now therefore, I pray thee, take a present of thy servant"

(2Kings 5:15). He found that God did not let him down. He

found that the God of Israel accepts all people. He found

that he had not been forgotten. He found a friend in God.

Let us remember who is our Best Friend. God's Name is

Jehová Adonai. He is the God who accepts us as we are

without any modifications. He is the God who will never fail

you nor forget you. He will never leave you or let you down.

Lift your hands to your Best Friend. Praise Him and thank

Him for all the blessings of His acceptance and friendship.