THE LORD SPOKE (April 26)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Samuel 17

The emphasis of this chapter is not Goliath. It's not the war between the Israelites and the Philistines. It's for sure not Saul (he's been one of the central figures up to this point but he's already a failed king). It's not even David. He made sure of that by always directing our attention away from himself.

• vs. 15 - he was his father's willing helper ("back and forth to tend sheep")
• vs. 20 - he was quick to obey his father ("early in the morning")
• vs. 26 - he was more concerned about his Father's reputation than his own
• vs. 34-37 - he was quick to give his Father the glory and not take it for himself
• vs. 45-48 - because he trusted his Father, he was undaunted in his courage

Note the response of those around him:

• vs. 28-29 - Big brother Eliab had it wrong! (Was maybe he the one who was "conceited and had a wicked heart? That's usually how it works; we accuse others of the very sin we are guilty of because that's a good way to hide.)
• vs. 37 - Saul: "Go and the Lord be with you." He was ready to stake his whole army and personal success on David?!
• vs. 49 - Goliath "fell down dead"
• vs. 51 - the Philistines "turned and ran"
• vs. 52 - the Israelites "surged forward" (Sometimes it takes a leader like David to get people off dead center.)
• vs. 55 - the king and the general pretend they didn't know him (Okay, maybe they're just trying to get information from the battlefront but do you really think they weren't watching the whole scene very carefully given the earlier part of this chapter?)
• 18:6 - all Israel literally sang his praises publicly and abroad (see 29:5)

David's answer to Eliab (vs. 29) is admittedly very hard to translate from Hebrew but I think my Nearly Inspired Version (NIV) got it wrong here. There's no personal pronoun in David's question (NIV: "Can't I even speak?"). That misses the tone not only of the passage but, especially, of David's life. "Is there not a cause?" is a better translation. David reminds us all that we have a charge to keep. I am under the mighty hand of God and all things (my life included) are meant to bring greater glory to Him. Amen - may it be so.


New Testament: Acts 27

Seven Lessons on Leadership from Paul the Prisoner

1. A leader takes charge. Like oil rising to the surface, a leader will come to the top because he takes the initiative. It’s a character quality that is recognized by others. The centurion’s first reaction was to ignore Paul (Acts 27:11) and go with what the pilot and ship’s owner said. After three days of terrible storm, Paul spoke up again (Acts 27:21) and this time they were ready to listen to him. Subsequent cases (Acts 27:31,33) solidified their trust in him and his leadership.
2. A leader is trustworthy. Paul had several opportunities to make a break or to barter for his freedom but he didn’t take them. He did his part and more to save the ship, to encourage both the guards and the prisoners, and to maintain discipline both on deck and on shore. Though a prisoner, Paul’s character set him apart. Even his guards knew they could trust him (Acts 27:32,43).
3. A leader speaks with authority. Paul didn’t know as much about ships and sailing but he did know God and the Scriptures. And, he knew God’s call upon his life. There was no possible way he could die at that point because God had called him to future ministry (Acts 27:23-25). That was the basis of his authority.
4. A leader knows how to motivate others. Both by his words and his personal example, Paul sparked others to action. He identified the problem, devised a solution, and convinced others that it would work. Rather than issuing commands, he said, “Follow me.” People will follow someone who knows where he’s going and how to get there. “He that thinketh he leadeth...and hath no one following him...only taketh a walk.” (John Maxwell)
5. A leader is enthused. Paul’s optimism was genuine. Not the kind to look back or to hesitate for fear, his enthusiasm was an encouragement to others. Genuine enthusiasm ought to be a characteristic of every believer for it comes from two Greek words that pack a powerful message - en (in) + theos (God).
6. A leader demonstrates good judgment. A good leader may have an elevated vision but it’s realistic. He may dream but he doesn’t have his head in the clouds. He counts the cost and moves ahead with the plan. He may occasionally have to back up and move to “Plan B” but he maintains momentum. He takes risks, but they are calculated risks and, if they fail, he’s ready to handle the consequences.
7. A leader focuses on the goal, not the problems. C.S. Lewis said, “Do you know what happens to people who set about with a determination to get no falls? They fall as often as the rest of us, and they cannot skate in the end.” A leader faces all the same problems that anybody else does but because he has his eye on the final goal, he gets past the problems. When the glory of God is that final goal, nothing can stop him!