Sustained Leadership
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 11:6, 8
6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.
OBSERVATION
Every leader has his moment. Saul’s moment was when Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. Nahash was not only going to attack to seize Jabesh Gilead but was intent on total humiliation of the Israelites living there by demanding that every man plucks out his right eye in return for their life. It was going to more than a life-long humiliation since a story will be told of such atrocity for years to come. To this, Saul became angry enough to overcome his reluctance and insecurity to rally his people to attack and defeat the Ammonites. It was a just anger for his people and got him to get out of himself to lead his people. Saul also showed grace and mercy when his proponents wanted to punish those who initially opposed his kingship. But ultimately, Saul could not sustain his leadership – succumbing to his followers’ pressure and making bad decisions. His insecurity got the best of him when David became more popular than him and pursued David to destroy him for the remainder of his reign.
APPLICATION
Sustained leadership: It’s not enough to surge for those situations that require bold leadership - though it is necessary – but also need God’s wisdom during those times when extreme circumstances don’t exist where they can be used to rally your team. It requires daily walk with God.
Be secure in God: Samuel clearly anointed and blessed Saul, to install kingship on him. We will always have opposition to good work that we get to do, no matter how worthy they might be. A leader must have complete trust in God who called him to do good work, for His own purpose.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for countless leadership lessons that you chose to preserve in the Scripture. Open my spiritual eyes and give me a teachable heart daily to learn from good and bad leadership examples and do serve you better. Protect and bless Michael, Joshua and Daniel. I ask for the Holy Spirit to continue urge their hearts to yearn for your presence every day. Bless Christine as she prays for our children with other moms. I love you, Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.