Legacy: God Honors the Heart by Vance K. JacksonSample

Your Success Is Not Meant To Be Hidden.

Success comes from God, and through you—regions, economies, and nations prosper. Through you, generations experience deliverance. Through you, economies prosper. Through you, businesses prosper. Through you, ideas thrive. Through you, economies thrive. Are you a Naaman? How you carry success has power and success carries weight.

Naaman carried the weight of success—pleasantly. He carried the mantle of leadership—pleasantly. He carried power and responsibility—pleasantly. Naaman handled his authority—pleasantly. But he was a leper.

Notice this critical point that the Bible outlines: “But he was a leper” (2 Kings 5:1 KJV). Leprosy was an outward skin condition that was typically untreatable and often incurable. Leprosy had different forms, various levels of severity, and appeared in different parts of the body.

Often, the topical skin condition disfigured the person so much that they were frequently ostracized and isolated that no one wanted to handle them or touch them due to fear of the skin condition possibly being contagious. In fact, it was a common practice that lepers, in many communities, were set outside the camp.

Yet, Naaman—this highly decorated Commander of the king’s army—was a leper. Somehow, someway, Naaman had entered the king’s army and had successfully risen through the ranks due to his execution and performance.

Apparently, Naaman was efficient. He was skilled. According to 2 Kings 5:1, Naaman was a man of war and a man “in” valor. Throughout The Bible you will see the phrase, “man of valor." Notice, in 2 Kings 5:1 KJV, the the Bible makes the following distinction, that Naaman was a “man ‘in’ valor." So, what's the difference?

A man “of” valor references one’s character. A man “in” valor implies one’s physical strength. Although both phrases refer to one’s internal “strength and character," the phrase “man in valor” is more toward Naaman’s external strength.

Notice, the Bible points out that Naaman was strong, “but he was a leper.” What a powerful dichotomy. Naaman didn’t allow his external frailty to impede upon his “strength and growth training.” In fact, he didn’t allow the ostracized social implications to limit his ability to perform and produce at a high level.

Naaman experienced success and was victorious. And Syria experienced “pleasant victory." Through Naaman—God provided deliverance to an entire region.