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Godly Leadership
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2/19/2010
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"After the death of Joshua...the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?' The LORD said, 'Judah shall go up.'" - Judges 1:1-2 NASB
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During their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, Israel had been led by Moses and then Joshua--men who knew God. But when Joshua died a change seems to have taken place.
At the outset of the book of Judges, everything was done by leaderless groups. For example, "the sons of Israel" inquired of the Lord. And "Judah" (an entire tribe) asked "Simeon" (another tribe) to fight with them.
Eventually, a generation arose "who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel." These people sinned, served idols, and "forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers" (Judges 2:10-12).
One of the reasons for this spiritual decline was the absence of Godly leaders--men and women who would remind the Israelites of God's Word and warn them about disobedience. Yet, in times of desperation, the Israelites recognized their need for spiritual leaders. They turned to Deborah and Barak in a great crisis, and after they achieved victory, they blessed the Lord because "the leaders led in Israel" (Judges 5:1-2).
But Israel continued to struggle. As the last verse in Judges tells us, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).
While the Bible teaches that each of us has an important role to play in God's Kingdom, it also says leaders are very important: "Obey your leaders and submit to them" (Hebrews 13:17). Pray for "all who are in authority" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Today, pray for the leaders of your country and city, of your church and family, and of the Body of Christ. And ask God to help you be a faithful servant. Fulfill His call on your life. Do your part.
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Father, I pray for these leaders: _______. Give them wisdom. Guide them. Bless them. Keep them from deception. And help me fulfill Your call on my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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| Extended Reading
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Judges 1
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