Bible Devotions for Living

Most adult Christian’s are in a position of leadership over other believers either through being a parent, Sunday School teacher, small group leader, parent, elder, or pastor. Although you would think leading God’s people would be an easy job it is not. Just ask Moses, any pastor, or any parent.

Be strong and courageous, not afraid or discouraged, when leading God’s people.

¹¹ “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as He said about you. ¹² Above all, may the Lord give you insight and understanding when He puts you in charge of Israel so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. ¹³ Then you will succeed if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. (1 Chr 22:11-13)

David’s dying plea to his son Solomon was for him to remain ‘strong and courageous’ to follow God while he was leading the Israelites. It takes strength and courage to lead God’s people.

It is a hard job because Christian’s are saved but not perfect. Followers of Christ can be stubborn, unteachable, rebellious, proud, difficult, and many other things that make them hard to lead and guide. As a leader of God’s people, it is easy to fall into being ‘afraid and discouraged’ whether you are leading one or many. When you couple the difficulty of the job to lead with your desire to please people and be accepted by them, the job becomes even harder. Saul is a great example:

Samuel told Saul, “ … ² This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘… go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Do not spare them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” ⁴ Then Saul summoned the troops and … struck down the Amalekites … but … spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cattle, and choice animals, as well as the young rams and the best of everything else … ¹³ When Samuel came to him, Saul said, “May the Lord bless you. I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.” ¹⁴ Samuel replied, “Then what is this sound of sheep and cattle I hear?” ¹⁵ Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord your God, but the rest we destroyed.” ¹⁶ “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel … “… ¹⁹ So why didn’t you obey the Lord? … ” … Saul answered … “… ²¹ The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder … ” ²² Then Samuel said: “… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.” ²⁴ Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.” (1 Sam 15:1-24)

Saul’s troops decided they wanted to take the livestock instead of killing it as God commanded and Saul was afraid to contradict them. He did not have the strength and courage to tell them what they were doing was wrong and order them to do the right thing.

The Israelites gave Moses a hard time and were difficult to lead, guide, and govern too. Pastors leave the ministry by the truckload every year because the work and people can be difficult, scary, and discouraging. Even your job as a leader in the family comes with great challenges. Teenager’s rebel, question, and test. Your spouse can be difficult, strong willed, and non-compliant instead of a partner. Do not give up. Leading as God called you to lead is a work that requires constant strength and courage.

Be strong and courageous to lead the flock God has given you because it is Him that has commissioned you to do it and He will be with you.

Look at God’s Word to the prophet Ezekiel when he was told to prophesy to the Israelites:

⁶ But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words, though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words or be discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. ⁷ But speak My words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. (Eze 2:6-7)

⁷ But the house of Israel will not want to listen to you because they do not want to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hardheaded and hardhearted. ⁸ Look, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. ⁹ I have made your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Don’t be afraid of them or discouraged by the look on their faces, even though they are a rebellious house. (Eze 3:7-9)

Ministering over God’s people is difficult work. Be ‘strong and courageous’ to continue in the work over them. Don’t let them drag you away or down or drive you away.

Think about it

Do you ever get afraid to lead believers in your care? What are your fears?

How can you overcome them?

Do you feel discouraged when leading? What discourages you – the people, their attitudes, their progress? How can you overcome that discouragement?

Do you think Moses had an easy time leading the Israelites? How did he keep going?

Pray that God would strengthen your will and mind to keep going even though your work is hard. Don’t give up. God gave you a job to do and He always gives the tools to do any jobs He’s given. Keep going.