God empowers faithful leaders to empower faithful leaders

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

I am loving the massive contrast between David and Saul from the beginning of this passage. While Saul struggled and died in his own strength, David credited God immediately as the source of life and leadership. I believe he wasn’t just saying that, but he meant and lived by it. This resulted in people coming together, with glorious results.

I’m noticing how David was not afraid to lead. His reliance on God did not make him unconfident or incapable of giving orders, nor did it make him think he could do everything by himself. Quite the reverse – he looked for leaders he could empower. And the warrior leaders who emerged were pretty powerful, even mighty!

I love the tales of derring-do which show how capable these men were individually, but looking more carefully, their roles were not just to strike down enemies and kill lions. They were empowered as commanders, entrusted with getting the best from other people.

So, this is not a Hollywood-style story of a few heroes. God’s style is more about the bigger picture, as we’ve seen from the rest of Chronicles so far too. In this case, I think we are getting to see what can happen when a culture of faithfulness is planted in a field rich with talent and potential.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God had already gifted Israel with huge amounts of people, talents and natural resources. When people are willing to follow his lead, all of this can be used together amazingly.

Where God’s presence is recognised physically, as it was with the ark of the covenant, faithful following of God’s instructions and respect for its special holy nature are vital. God’s things are not ours to do with whatever we want. This is so important, it was the difference between life for Obed-Edom and death for Uzzah.

God is a faithful leader who empowers faithful leaders. This is his kingdom plan, for us all to know the importance of faithfulness and potential we have to bring out the best in others when we seek his presence and faithfully follow his guidance.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I sometimes forget that leadership isn’t just a job for other people. It’s something we all have to the extent that we influence or bring out the best in anyone else. I want to be a better leader, in the way that God is a loving father and leader, rather than just a big boss.

So I will look for a way to practise faithfully crediting and obeying God this week.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family, where I’m already practising being a dad, and hopefully my school community too where I think we need some assurance and empowerment in a stressful time.