I ran across another leader today who modelled how to be morally brave and heroic – Micaiah.
Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers, “Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash. Tell them to throw him in prison and to put him on bread and water until I return safely.”
“If you return safely,” Micaiah exclaimed, “then the Lord has not spoken through me!” And he added, “Listen, everyone, to what I have said!” – 2 Chronicles 18:25-27 GNT
Micaiah’s strength came from knowing his life was not in his hands, but in God’s. This could be the very reason I love the book of Revelation – revealing the end from the beginning.
After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd—no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. – Revelation 7:9 GNT
Here I can stand with thankfulness for the grace of God, through faith, that I have become a part of the body of Christ – to be a light and to proclaim the Gospel and to disciple the world. I expect miracles to take place when I engage and people to be saved.
In this arena of leadership, I expect some sort of engagement with the evil one – yet my Saviour exercises His authority, preventing his advance.
The angel of the Lord[b] said to Satan, “May the Lord condemn you, Satan! May the Lord, who loves Jerusalem, condemn you. This man is like a stick snatched from the fire.” – Zechariah 3:2 GNT
Yes, I know that the evil one wants to attack and harass those who have made a decision to follow Jesus. God is still in authority and only lets things happen what He deems necessary to happen. I love the account of Jesus telling Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat, but Jesus said that He was praying for Peter and would stand beside him and would not allow the evil planned to take place.
The adventure that comes in following Jesus comes as I desire to seek Him.
I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty. – John 6:35 GNT
Coming to Jesus means I receive Him as a gift from God and is showcased by my desire, prayer, assent, consent, trust and obedience.
Father, I am thrilled with the opportunity to provide leadership to those I am serving. Sometimes I think more about serving than leading and I need You to help me recognise the times I need to be up in the front lines. I pray that You and I will always be talking together. My strength and all that You have called me to be comes from our relationship. Thank You. AMEN
Erwin (evanlaar1922)
Sixty-six books in a year 