January 28, 2024

Passage Read: 1 Samuel 13-16
Meditation Verse: 15:24

Thought

God's appointed leader is expected to lead according to God's commands. He is not supposed to listen to his people, but to lead them. He should consider their needs and weaknesses, rather than make rash curses as Saul did when he fought the Philistines, but he shouldn't take their counsel over the Lord's. When God gives clear instruction, there is no room for negotiation. If someone claims to have a better idea than the Lord's command, they need to be ignored or rebuked rather than listened to. The ruler serves the Lord, not the people, but in serving the Lord he does what is best for the people.

Application

It is hard to put the Lord first in all circumstances, because the people are right there in front of you and continually in your presence. The pressure to follow the wishes or ideas of the people is pretty intense. It helps to surround yourself with those who are wholly committed to knowing and serving the Lord, but not all those entrusted to you will be so. They were entrusted for training. So a leader has to be ready to make enemies of those he leads, but decide firmly never to tempt the Lord to anger by disobeying His command in favor of the wishes of his people. I am appointed by God; I do not want to make an enemy of God. So in every capacity that I lead, my chief concern needs to be what the Lord wants, and to do what I need to know Him well.