The Children's Chapel
    ~ A Ministry of The Lorain County Free-Net Chapel ~
		 


Priscilla was feeling just about the sickest she thought she ever 
could. That was UNTIL she decided to have a look at herself in the 
mirror. There, all over her face, were bright red spots. 
My goodness! She even found some spots on her TONGUE!

This was the third day she had stayed home from school because of
having chicken pox. Boy, was SHE ever glad those spots would be
gone in just a few short days!

But what about people who had spots that would NEVER go away? Spots
that would eventually make them so sick they would DIE?



		SEVEN DUCKS IN MUDDY WATER
		by Barbara Wilmerton Haas
		

Naaman was a highly respected and very important man. As a matter 
of fact, he served the King of Syria as commander of all his 
armies. Because of the many battles he and his troops had won, he 
was well loved and admired by the King, as a great hero of the land 
and a man of great courage. But one day, Naaman discovered a very 
sad thing -

	HE WAS A LEPER AND HE WAS GOING TO DIE!
	
There were many who were lepers in Naaman's day. Their skin was
being eaten away, little by little, by the terrible disease of 
leprosy.

Naaman's Syrian army had gone to war against the Israelites. 
Many of God's people were killed, but some were taken captive and 
brought back to Syria to become servants. Among these captives was 
a young girl who had been given to Naaman's wife to serve as her 
maid.

The news of Naaman's leprosy quickly spread throughout his house. 
One day, the little servant girl overheard the servants 
whispering one to the other: "What a pity! It is SO SAD that Namaan
has been struck with such a dread disease. If only there was
something we could do to help him!"

Remembering the Prophet Elisha and the wonderful miracles he had
performed back in the land where she had come from, the young girl 
thought to herself, "If only I could persuade my master to visit 
the Prophet Elisha. I know God could HEAL him of this terrible
leprosy!"

One day, when the little girl was waiting on her mistress, she 
could no longer keep her thoughts to herself. Before she realized
what had happened, she blurted out: "I wish my master would go to 
see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal Naaman of his leprosy!"

Naaman's wife nearly DROPPED the food she was about to put in her
mouth. She quickly stopped her eating and asked the young girl to 
sit down beside her. 

"Now tell me ALL about this. WHO is this prophet?" her mistress 
asked. "I want to hear EVERYTHING you know about him." 

The servant girl excitedly told her many stories of the wonderful 
miracles the Prophet Elisha had done. Soon the little maid's words 
reached Naaman and Naaman went and repeated to the King what the 
young girl had said.

"Go and visit this prophet," the King told him. "I will give you an 
official letter to present to the King of Israel, to help explain 
the purpose of your visit."

So Naaman started out on his journey, along with his servants. He
took with him many gifts of silver, and even more gifts of gold, 
and also a gift of ten changes of clothing. 

Soon Naaman and his servants reached the palace of the King of 
Israel and Naaman, the Syrian commander, was ushered in before the 
King. The King took the letter Naaman handed to him and began 
reading out loud: "The man bringing this letter is my servant 
Naaman.

	"I want you to HEAL HIM OF HIS LEPROSY."
	
When the King of Israel finished reading the letter, he TORE his 
clothes in anger and said to his servants, "This man sends me a 
leper to heal! 

	"Am I GOD, that I can kill and give life? 
	
"I know what the King of Syria is REALLY up to. He is only looking
for a fight."

****
Not long afterwards, Elisha the prophet heard what had happened in
the palace and he sent a message to the King: "What's wrong? Why 
have you torn your clothes? Send this man to ME and I will see he 
learns that there is a true prophet of God here in Israel."

So Naaman climbed back into his chariot and headed toward Elisha's 
home. Soon he found himself standing at Elisha's front door. 

To his amazement, Elisha never came to the door, but, instead, sent 
a messenger out to meet him. 

"Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times," Elisha's servant 
said, "and your skin will be cleaned, and you will be healed of 
your leprosy."

Naaman became very angry and left the house in a RAGE!

(Continued in Part Two)


************ 
THINK! 
What did the little captive girl tell her mistress?
What if she had kept that to herself?
What happened when the king of Israel received the letter from the
king of Syria?
What did the Prophet Elisha tell Naaman he needed to do in order to
be healed from his leprosy?


REMEMBER
When you find yourself in a situation that you're afraid will NEVER
go away, instead of becoming angry and giving up, call out to God
for help.


A VERSE TO LEARN
"...for I am the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26b). 


LET'S PRAY 
**************************************************** 
Dear God, when I feel I'm in a hopeless situation
that will never change, instead of becoming angry
and giving up, help me to call out to you for help.  
In Jesus' name. Amen.
**************************************************** 

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?

(2 Kings 5:1-11) 

************ 

---------------
Used by permission. Copyright © 2006 by Barbara Wilmerton Haas.
You may NOT re-post this story without permission from the author.


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