THE POOL OF MERCY: WHEN JESUS STEPS INTO BROKEN SYSTEMS PART 9: THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF AGONY – THE GOD OF RESTORATION

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THE POOL OF MERCY: WHEN JESUS STEPS INTO BROKEN SYSTEMS PART 9: THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS OF AGONY – THE GOD OF RESTORATION John 5:5— (KJV) "And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years."  In Part 8, " The Hopeless – When Waiting Steals Your Expectation ," we discovered that hopelessness is one of the greatest battles a person can face. We learned that prolonged disappointment can weaken faith, drain joy, and make temporary situations feel permanent. Yet Jesus came to Bethesda to remind us that no situation is beyond His reach. Where Christ is present, hope can rise again. Today, we turn our attention to one particular man among the multitude— a man whose suffering had lasted for thirty-eight years . His story reveals the power of God's timing, the reality of long seasons, and the restoration that comes through an encounter with Jesus. John does not tell us this man's name. He does not tell us his family background. He does not tell us...
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RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER PART 5: THE LITTLE WITNESS IN NAAMAN’S HOUSE

RECOGNIZING AND DEVELOPING THE EVANGELIST WITHIN THE BELIEVER

PART 5: THE LITTLE WITNESS IN NAAMAN’S HOUSE


2 Kings 5:1–5


In Part 4, we saw how the nations began to spread after the flood through the sons of Noah. Through Ham’s sons — Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan — entire regions of Africa and the Levant were populated.

We observed how Cush’s descendants settled in Ethiopia, while Canaan’s descendants occupied the Levant, which includes regions known today as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan.

This showed us that God was strategically positioning nations and territories long before the gospel began to spread in the New Testament. History, geography, and generations were all quietly aligning with God’s greater plan of salvation.

Today we move to another powerful story that reveals how God often hides evangelists in the most unexpected places.


The Story of Naaman

The Bible introduces us to a powerful military commander named Naaman. Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria). He was a respected and successful man, a warrior who had won many victories for his nation.

But despite his success and influence, Naaman had a serious problem. He had leprosy.

In those days, leprosy was not only a physical disease; it carried social stigma, isolation, and fear. No amount of power, wealth, or military achievement could cure it. This reminds us that no human position can solve the deepest problems of the human soul.


The Hidden Evangelist

Inside Naaman’s household was a young Israelite girl who had been taken captive during a raid. She was now serving Naaman’s wife as a slave. Her name is not recorded in Scripture.

Yet her words would change the life of a powerful general. This young girl made a simple statement:

“If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”

In that moment, this unnamed servant girl became an evangelist.

She did not have a title.

She did not hold a public ministry.

She did not stand before crowds.

But she pointed someone to the source of healing and salvation.

This is one of the clearest examples of the evangelist within the believer. Recognizing the Evangelist in Ordinary People

This story teaches us something profound.

God does not only use famous prophets or powerful leaders to spread His message. Sometimes He uses ordinary people in difficult situations.

This young girl was:

A captive

A servant

A foreigner in a strange land

Yet she carried something powerful inside her: the knowledge of God.

Her testimony set in motion the events that eventually led Naaman to his healing.

This shows us that recognizing the evangelist within the believer is not about status, position, or title. It is about a heart that is willing to point others to God.


Tragedy Becoming Strategy

Notice something remarkable.

This young girl was in Naaman’s house because of a tragic circumstance. She had been captured and taken away from her homeland. Yet what looked like tragedy became God’s strategy.

Her presence in that house was not accidental. God had positioned her there for a purpose. This reinforces one of the major themes of this series:

God can use tragedy as a strategy to spread the message of salvation.


The Power of One Voice

One statement from this young girl set off a chain reaction:

Naaman heard about the prophet in Israel.

The king of Aram sent him to Israel.

Naaman eventually met the prophet.

He received instructions that would lead to his healing. All of this began with one small voice speaking truth.

This is why recognizing and developing the evangelist within believers is so important.

One word, one conversation, one act of faith can become the beginning of someone’s salvation story.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for the powerful lesson from the life of this young servant girl. Help us to recognize that You can use anyone, anywhere, regardless of position or circumstance. Open our eyes to the opportunities around us to point people to You. Give us the courage to speak, the wisdom to guide others, and the humility to serve wherever You place us. Let the evangelist within us rise and become a blessing to many. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Preview of the Next Message

In Part 6, we will continue the story of Naaman and examine his encounter with the prophet Elisha.

We will look closely at the instruction to wash seven times in the Jordan River and discover the deeper spiritual symbolism connected to cleansing, obedience, and the message of salvation.

This will also help us connect Naaman’s cleansing in the Jordan to water baptism and the Ethiopian eunuch’s experience in Acts 8.

God is speaking, are you listening? 



Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)


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