Great Grace
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
In this message we want to share with you about 'great grace' and 'great power.' Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He had told the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Also, in Acts 1:8, Jesus told them, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 2 then describes what happened on the day of Pentecost.
The word for the Church today is still the same; Repent and save yourselves from this untoward generation. The word "untoward" means "crooked, perverse, or warped." The Church, which is supposed to be "straight," is no longer straight, but crooked, having been warped for many long years by the ways of the world. The Church has been infiltrated by a democratic spirit, an independent spirit, a spirit of materialism, the god of entertainment, traditions of men, idolatry, and on and on. This word "untoward" is the same type of word that is used to characterize Jacob, who tried for years to bring about the blessing of God through his own efforts. Note that Peter says to "save yourselves." Clearly this is NOT talking about being born again, for no one can save himself in that sense. The verse means that we must make a conscious decision on our part to repent from our own warped ways and allow the Lord to be Lord of our life.
Now let us compare the somewhat similar verses in Acts, Chapter 4, after the healing of the lame man, after Peter had once more addressed the people, and after Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and commanded not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4 speaks of great power being manifested through the apostles and great grace being upon them all. This is the ONLY verse in the Bible which speaks about great grace. The question arises, Why? Why was there great power and great grace in Acts 4 but only power and grace on the day of Pentecost? The answer to this question may be found by examining what happened in Acts, Chapters 3 and 4.
In Acts 3 Peter and John went up to the temple to pray and encountered the man who had been lame from his mother's womb. That, of course, was a Divine appointment! When the lame man asked an alms of Peter and John, please note that Peter and John did NOT ask the Lord to come and heal the man; instead, Peter spoke the word of healing to the man.
Most likely, when many believers read those verses, the reaction is, "That is wonderful! Peter and John healed a lame man! Great!" And that is the end of those verses, as if only an historical event had occurred. However the above verses are loaded with spiritual truth for us today. Further, the Lord almost always has something greater in mind than a physical healing.
Because those verses record the first specific miracle after the day of Pentecost, we should ask, "Why is this specific miracle recorded here?" Why not another miracle, such as opening the eyes of the blind? or raising someone from the dead? What is special about Peter and John healing an un-named lame man? Why did the Holy Ghost choose to record it at this particular place in Scripture?
The lame man evidently could not walk at all because others had to carry him. There could be no better place to ask for alms than at the doorway to the temple. Whenever men assemble together in a religious structure, they are undoubtedly in the most generous, giving mood ever. It makes men feel "good" to go to "church" and to put a few coins in the offering plate. Further, why was the lame man at the gate Beautiful, rather than some other gate? undoubtedly because there was more traffic at that particular gate than at any other gate. The pride of man wants to be seen at the finest of the fine ... and that was the gate Beautiful. Josephus said, "Of the gates, nine of them were every where overlaid with gold and silver, likewise the posts, and the lintels. But one, without the Temple, made of Corinthian brass, did much exceed, in glory, those, that were overlaid with silver and gold.
So the lame man could not walk, but he was not ignorant! He knew that he had a better chance of receiving alms at that specific gate just before the mandatory times of prayer. He apparently had accepted his fate of never being able to walk, but he determined to make the most of it.
Then Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Peter and John knew that they had already been endued with power from on high. They had seen the manifestation of that power on the day of Pentecost and they simply believed the words that Jesus had spoken unto them. They also knew it was the will of God for that lame man to be healed. So they spoke the word of healing with all boldness and confidence, trusting and having faith in the Lord's word to them. They acted upon that faith when they told the lame man to rise up and walk! Also, Peter and John never conferred with each other as to whether or not they should speak a word of healing to the man. Further, Peter never had any doubts that the man would be restored to wholeness, for he knew His Lord and knew the ways of the Lord. He also knew his calling or ministry in the body of Christ. Peter also knew that what the lame man needed was not just some money to get him through to the next day. Note that the lame man was immediately healed.
So the lame man had been looking for a temporary "fix," just to get him through until the next day. But he received something far greater! That is the way our awesome God works! We ask Him for one thing and He gives us two! He not only could walk and leap but he now could enter into the temple. By law, any man who had any blemish like the lame or blind, could not approach God to offer the bread of his God (Leviticus 21:17-18). So the lame man was not even allowed to enter into the temple. That was why he was laid outside the gate. But now his blemish was gone! The Lord, through the word of God spoken by Peter and John, had made the lame man whole! He received much more than a physical healing. He undoubtedly was one of the 5,000 males who were saved that day.
Now for one more significant fact ... Jesus must have passed by that same lame man many times before He entered the temple. Why did not Jesus heal that lame man? undoubtedly because Jesus knew that was a work ordained for Peter and John to walk in ... to increase their faith for the trials that would surely follow.
Unfortunately, there are far too many spiritually "lame" believers today. They are lame because of many factors ... many pastors have no word of life for them; they are bound up in traditions, materialism, ways of the world, etc., and have no way out because they have no one to speak the truth to them. Another reason is because of the lack of true apostles. There are many who claim that title, but it is only positional authority. Starting a church or two does not make one an apostle. Only God makes an apostle. The Church today cannot say "rise up and walk" because of the lack of true apostles. And of course, a major factor is king "self", who too often usurps the rights of our true King.
The greatest significance for us is that a spiritually lame man cannot walk! And therefore he cannot walk with God. He cannot walk in grace. The time will come soon when the lame man (the church) will leap as an hart! But it will not be a walking and leaping based upon emotions. One of the God-given functions of an apostle is to heal the spiritually lame men so that they can indeed walk with God and fulfill their high calling on earth. Lord, send to us those true apostles who will heal our spiritual lameness and prepare us to walk with God! This does not equate to more good teaching. It equates to those overcomers who will speak the word of God with power. Moreover, the spoken word of God with power does not even need to fall upon the natural ears of man. When will they be unveiled? Only the Father knows. But the time is short.
What follows in Acts 3 is Peter's second message to the people, the first being on the day of Pentecost. Peter's second message was the same general message as on the day of Pentecost; i.e. to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The immediate result was that about 5,000 men believed the truth about Jesus as spoken by Peter. Because Peter and John, through their obedience, healed one lame man of his natural inability to walk, 5,000 men (males) were healed spiritually. And through the spiritual healing of those 5,000 males, all of their families were also saved. Talk about evangelism! Peter and John did not have to "beat the bushes" to make new converts! The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved! and all because Peter and John were obedient to the leading of the Holy Ghost with respect to one lame man.
Concerning 'great power' ... WHY, in Acts 4:33, did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with GREAT power? Because they asked for it!
This is the only verse which speaks about God's great power which is delegated, namely to the apostles. The 3 previous verses doesn't say 'great power'.
The other major event in Acts 3 that made a difference between power and great power and between grace and great grace was the trial of their faith, in their case by the Sanhedrin. Peter and John were arrested and commanded by the Sanhedrin not to teach or preach in the name of Jesus any more. This, of course, they refused, and they spoke the word of God with even more boldness. In other words, the Lord brought about this Divine appointment with the lame man and the subsequent trial of Peter and John in order to prove them, whether or not they would speak the word of the Lord with all boldness and authority and whether they would endure persecution. This was a trial of their faith.
Peter and John easily passed that trial and were rewarded with more power and more grace. It is a great honor to be placed on trial by the religious elite of the day. That happened to Jesus, to Paul, and to Peter and John. It happened later to Martin Luther and, undoubtedly, a number of other holy men of God throughout history. I have known personally four anointed men of God in my lifetime who were put on trial by Spirit-filled, charismatic Sanhedrins. But the apostles counted it all joy; so did Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
Again we read in Acts 4:32-33, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
This is the only verse in the Bible which speaks of great grace. Please note that the apostles, not every member of the Church, were allowed to manifest the great power of God. God will allow His power to be manifested only thru those who are sold out to Him. However, great grace was upon them ALL! Why? We believe there are at least 2 answers to that question.
The first reason is because that early Church was in one accord, which we shared earlier. A house divided against itself cannot stand, but God pours out His great grace when we are in one accord with Him, His will, and His Master Plan. Scripturally, historically, and experientially, the Church has not been in one accord since the Book of Acts. Why? because of ignorance and the work of our adversary, the devil, who hates for the Church to be in one accord.
The second reason is found in 1 Samuel 30, when David and his 600 men had been sent back home by the king of the Philistines. When David and his men returned to their home in Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had burned their village and taken their wives, children, and animals captive. After they "wept until they had no more power to weep," David asked the Lord if he should pursue and overtake the Amalekites. The Lord told David to pursue, and he would overtake and recover all. David asked the Lord one question ... the Lord responded with two answers. That is the way our God is. We ask Him for one thing and He gives us two. So David and his 600 men of war started to pursue the Amalekites.
After some time of pursuit, 200 of David's men were so faint that they could not continue, so they stayed at the brook Besor while David and the remaining 400 men continued the pursuit. Besor means cheerful, joyful, good news.
Just as the Lord had told David, they overtook and recovered all, including the spoil of the Amalekites. When they returned to the 200 men who had fainted at the brook Besor, those men who had continued to battle with the Amalekites told David that only they (the 400) should receive the spoils of the Amalekites. David said, "not so." He said,
Acts 2 then describes what happened on the day of Pentecost.
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Acts 2:38-40
The word for the Church today is still the same; Repent and save yourselves from this untoward generation. The word "untoward" means "crooked, perverse, or warped." The Church, which is supposed to be "straight," is no longer straight, but crooked, having been warped for many long years by the ways of the world. The Church has been infiltrated by a democratic spirit, an independent spirit, a spirit of materialism, the god of entertainment, traditions of men, idolatry, and on and on. This word "untoward" is the same type of word that is used to characterize Jacob, who tried for years to bring about the blessing of God through his own efforts. Note that Peter says to "save yourselves." Clearly this is NOT talking about being born again, for no one can save himself in that sense. The verse means that we must make a conscious decision on our part to repent from our own warped ways and allow the Lord to be Lord of our life.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour [grace] with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:41-47
Now let us compare the somewhat similar verses in Acts, Chapter 4, after the healing of the lame man, after Peter had once more addressed the people, and after Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and commanded not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need. Acts 4:32-35
Acts 4 speaks of great power being manifested through the apostles and great grace being upon them all. This is the ONLY verse in the Bible which speaks about great grace. The question arises, Why? Why was there great power and great grace in Acts 4 but only power and grace on the day of Pentecost? The answer to this question may be found by examining what happened in Acts, Chapters 3 and 4.
In Acts 3 Peter and John went up to the temple to pray and encountered the man who had been lame from his mother's womb. That, of course, was a Divine appointment! When the lame man asked an alms of Peter and John, please note that Peter and John did NOT ask the Lord to come and heal the man; instead, Peter spoke the word of healing to the man.
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;3 Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms.4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Acts 3:1-10
Most likely, when many believers read those verses, the reaction is, "That is wonderful! Peter and John healed a lame man! Great!" And that is the end of those verses, as if only an historical event had occurred. However the above verses are loaded with spiritual truth for us today. Further, the Lord almost always has something greater in mind than a physical healing.
Because those verses record the first specific miracle after the day of Pentecost, we should ask, "Why is this specific miracle recorded here?" Why not another miracle, such as opening the eyes of the blind? or raising someone from the dead? What is special about Peter and John healing an un-named lame man? Why did the Holy Ghost choose to record it at this particular place in Scripture?
The lame man evidently could not walk at all because others had to carry him. There could be no better place to ask for alms than at the doorway to the temple. Whenever men assemble together in a religious structure, they are undoubtedly in the most generous, giving mood ever. It makes men feel "good" to go to "church" and to put a few coins in the offering plate. Further, why was the lame man at the gate Beautiful, rather than some other gate? undoubtedly because there was more traffic at that particular gate than at any other gate. The pride of man wants to be seen at the finest of the fine ... and that was the gate Beautiful. Josephus said, "Of the gates, nine of them were every where overlaid with gold and silver, likewise the posts, and the lintels. But one, without the Temple, made of Corinthian brass, did much exceed, in glory, those, that were overlaid with silver and gold.
So the lame man could not walk, but he was not ignorant! He knew that he had a better chance of receiving alms at that specific gate just before the mandatory times of prayer. He apparently had accepted his fate of never being able to walk, but he determined to make the most of it.
Then Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Peter and John knew that they had already been endued with power from on high. They had seen the manifestation of that power on the day of Pentecost and they simply believed the words that Jesus had spoken unto them. They also knew it was the will of God for that lame man to be healed. So they spoke the word of healing with all boldness and confidence, trusting and having faith in the Lord's word to them. They acted upon that faith when they told the lame man to rise up and walk! Also, Peter and John never conferred with each other as to whether or not they should speak a word of healing to the man. Further, Peter never had any doubts that the man would be restored to wholeness, for he knew His Lord and knew the ways of the Lord. He also knew his calling or ministry in the body of Christ. Peter also knew that what the lame man needed was not just some money to get him through to the next day. Note that the lame man was immediately healed.
So the lame man had been looking for a temporary "fix," just to get him through until the next day. But he received something far greater! That is the way our awesome God works! We ask Him for one thing and He gives us two! He not only could walk and leap but he now could enter into the temple. By law, any man who had any blemish like the lame or blind, could not approach God to offer the bread of his God (Leviticus 21:17-18). So the lame man was not even allowed to enter into the temple. That was why he was laid outside the gate. But now his blemish was gone! The Lord, through the word of God spoken by Peter and John, had made the lame man whole! He received much more than a physical healing. He undoubtedly was one of the 5,000 males who were saved that day.
Now for one more significant fact ... Jesus must have passed by that same lame man many times before He entered the temple. Why did not Jesus heal that lame man? undoubtedly because Jesus knew that was a work ordained for Peter and John to walk in ... to increase their faith for the trials that would surely follow.
Unfortunately, there are far too many spiritually "lame" believers today. They are lame because of many factors ... many pastors have no word of life for them; they are bound up in traditions, materialism, ways of the world, etc., and have no way out because they have no one to speak the truth to them. Another reason is because of the lack of true apostles. There are many who claim that title, but it is only positional authority. Starting a church or two does not make one an apostle. Only God makes an apostle. The Church today cannot say "rise up and walk" because of the lack of true apostles. And of course, a major factor is king "self", who too often usurps the rights of our true King.
The greatest significance for us is that a spiritually lame man cannot walk! And therefore he cannot walk with God. He cannot walk in grace. The time will come soon when the lame man (the church) will leap as an hart! But it will not be a walking and leaping based upon emotions. One of the God-given functions of an apostle is to heal the spiritually lame men so that they can indeed walk with God and fulfill their high calling on earth. Lord, send to us those true apostles who will heal our spiritual lameness and prepare us to walk with God! This does not equate to more good teaching. It equates to those overcomers who will speak the word of God with power. Moreover, the spoken word of God with power does not even need to fall upon the natural ears of man. When will they be unveiled? Only the Father knows. But the time is short.
What follows in Acts 3 is Peter's second message to the people, the first being on the day of Pentecost. Peter's second message was the same general message as on the day of Pentecost; i.e. to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The immediate result was that about 5,000 men believed the truth about Jesus as spoken by Peter. Because Peter and John, through their obedience, healed one lame man of his natural inability to walk, 5,000 men (males) were healed spiritually. And through the spiritual healing of those 5,000 males, all of their families were also saved. Talk about evangelism! Peter and John did not have to "beat the bushes" to make new converts! The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved! and all because Peter and John were obedient to the leading of the Holy Ghost with respect to one lame man.
Concerning 'great power' ... WHY, in Acts 4:33, did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with GREAT power? Because they asked for it!
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
This is the only verse which speaks about God's great power which is delegated, namely to the apostles. The 3 previous verses doesn't say 'great power'.
The other major event in Acts 3 that made a difference between power and great power and between grace and great grace was the trial of their faith, in their case by the Sanhedrin. Peter and John were arrested and commanded by the Sanhedrin not to teach or preach in the name of Jesus any more. This, of course, they refused, and they spoke the word of God with even more boldness. In other words, the Lord brought about this Divine appointment with the lame man and the subsequent trial of Peter and John in order to prove them, whether or not they would speak the word of the Lord with all boldness and authority and whether they would endure persecution. This was a trial of their faith.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7
Peter and John easily passed that trial and were rewarded with more power and more grace. It is a great honor to be placed on trial by the religious elite of the day. That happened to Jesus, to Paul, and to Peter and John. It happened later to Martin Luther and, undoubtedly, a number of other holy men of God throughout history. I have known personally four anointed men of God in my lifetime who were put on trial by Spirit-filled, charismatic Sanhedrins. But the apostles counted it all joy; so did Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
And they [the apostles] departed from the presence of the council [the Sanhedrin], rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41
Again we read in Acts 4:32-33, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
This is the only verse in the Bible which speaks of great grace. Please note that the apostles, not every member of the Church, were allowed to manifest the great power of God. God will allow His power to be manifested only thru those who are sold out to Him. However, great grace was upon them ALL! Why? We believe there are at least 2 answers to that question.
The first reason is because that early Church was in one accord, which we shared earlier. A house divided against itself cannot stand, but God pours out His great grace when we are in one accord with Him, His will, and His Master Plan. Scripturally, historically, and experientially, the Church has not been in one accord since the Book of Acts. Why? because of ignorance and the work of our adversary, the devil, who hates for the Church to be in one accord.
The second reason is found in 1 Samuel 30, when David and his 600 men had been sent back home by the king of the Philistines. When David and his men returned to their home in Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had burned their village and taken their wives, children, and animals captive. After they "wept until they had no more power to weep," David asked the Lord if he should pursue and overtake the Amalekites. The Lord told David to pursue, and he would overtake and recover all. David asked the Lord one question ... the Lord responded with two answers. That is the way our God is. We ask Him for one thing and He gives us two. So David and his 600 men of war started to pursue the Amalekites.
After some time of pursuit, 200 of David's men were so faint that they could not continue, so they stayed at the brook Besor while David and the remaining 400 men continued the pursuit. Besor means cheerful, joyful, good news.
Just as the Lord had told David, they overtook and recovered all, including the spoil of the Amalekites. When they returned to the 200 men who had fainted at the brook Besor, those men who had continued to battle with the Amalekites told David that only they (the 400) should receive the spoils of the Amalekites. David said, "not so." He said,
1 Samuel 30:23-25, "Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day."
What is this day? this very day in which we live.
The same principle is still true to this day for all of spiritual Israel. Whoever tarries by the stuff receives the same great grace and blessing as those who go out to battle. The little maid benefits from the same great grace as does the greatest of apostles (provided the members of the body are in one accord). That fact should be a comfort to each member of the body and should eliminate all desire for any individual Christian to attain to any great stature. Each member simply can be free to function in the place that the Lord has called them, knowing that by so doing they will partake of that same great grace.
Many years ago the pastor of a church in Allentown, PA, asked me to bring the word of God in his church one Sunday morning. The Lord impressed upon me to share about the little maid in 2 Kings 5. That is the story of when Elisha told Naaman, the captain of the host of the Syrian army, to go and dip in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed of leprosy. In those days there was no natural-level cure for leprosy. Naaman finally obeyed the word of the Lord through Elisha and Naaman was immediately healed of his leprosy. But it was the little Israeli maid who got the ball rolling which resulted in Naaman being healed of his leprosy.
After that Sunday meeting was over, a woman came up to me and said that she was a little maid and how much she appreciated the word I had shared. Evidently she had been plagued with the feeling that her life as a little maid did not mean very much.
The same principle is still true to this day for all of spiritual Israel. Whoever tarries by the stuff receives the same great grace and blessing as those who go out to battle. The little maid benefits from the same great grace as does the greatest of apostles (provided the members of the body are in one accord). That fact should be a comfort to each member of the body and should eliminate all desire for any individual Christian to attain to any great stature. Each member simply can be free to function in the place that the Lord has called them, knowing that by so doing they will partake of that same great grace.
Many years ago the pastor of a church in Allentown, PA, asked me to bring the word of God in his church one Sunday morning. The Lord impressed upon me to share about the little maid in 2 Kings 5. That is the story of when Elisha told Naaman, the captain of the host of the Syrian army, to go and dip in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed of leprosy. In those days there was no natural-level cure for leprosy. Naaman finally obeyed the word of the Lord through Elisha and Naaman was immediately healed of his leprosy. But it was the little Israeli maid who got the ball rolling which resulted in Naaman being healed of his leprosy.
After that Sunday meeting was over, a woman came up to me and said that she was a little maid and how much she appreciated the word I had shared. Evidently she had been plagued with the feeling that her life as a little maid did not mean very much.
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