Inspiration For Leaders

August 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment

leadership, courage, no fear, 1 Chronicles 28To be a child of God is to be a follower.  We are to follow our Lord’s commands and to seek him with our whole mind and whole heart.  But to be a child of God is also to be a leader.  We are charged to lead the way in pointing others to Jesus Christ and to encourage, exhort and enable those around us to be committed followers as well.

Every child of God has been gifted with skills and talents that are given so that we might serve the Lord and function perfectly in the building of his church.  Not that we ourselves are perfect but only that we are willing to give of ourselves, our time and our talents and let the Lord use us as he may.  In that sense we are servant leaders and we have been charged with a responsibility to take seriously our call and our work for God’s kingdom.

In 1 Chronicles chapter 28, King David was in the process of preparing his son Solomon to become the next king of Israel and to be the man to build God’s temple.  His words were given to inspire Solomon as a leader and in the task to which he had been given and they are just as valuable and inspirational for us today as they were when they were given.

9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-19 (NASB)

Before any undertaking for the Lord we must be sure that we are in touch with God and that we are seeking for Him in everything that we do.  The NASB translation phrases it as a “whole heart and a willing mind” and states that if we seek Him “He will let you find Him” meaning God wants us our attention and our focus and rewards it with his presence.

20 Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.  1 Chronicles 28:20 (NASB)

David’s charge in both verse 10 and in verse 20 was to be “strong and courageous” and in verse 20 “and act”.  In other words, Solomon (and we) are to be strong and take courage in God and then use that to fuel our actions and our will.  Why?  Because God is with us and will not forsake us and will see to it that our work and service for the Lord is finished.

David’s words to Solomon in this passage echo down through the ages and are given for the benefit of all servant leaders.  What will be our response to God’s call and to the duties and responsibilities that he has entrusted to us?

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The Mightiest King and the Most Humble Servant

December 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

David, Paul, servantIn preparation for teaching Sunday School this week, I came across this passage of scripture from 2 Samuel.

18 Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord God. 20 Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord God! 21 For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. 22 For this reason You are great, O Lord God; forthere is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods? 24 For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God. 25 Now therefore, O Lord God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken,26 that Your name may be magnified forever, by saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 For You, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 Now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. 29 Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord God, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.” (2 Samuel 7:18-29) NASB

 I am always inspired and encouraged when I read one of David’s prayers.  His honesty and sincerity touch my heart and make me want to be the man that God has called me to be.

What I find so remarkable about this passage is the how David refers to himself.  “Your servant”, he says.  And not just once; David refers to himself this way ten times during this prayer!

Mighty King David.  Poet.  Warrior.  Leader.  Song writer.  Dancer.  The greatest earthly king that the world has ever known.  And yet when he comes before his God to pray, he is the humble servant.

Might I learn something from David’s attitude?  Might we all?

I am reminded of another passage in the Bible that reinforces this idea.

8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8) NASB

Paul knew.  Paul understood, just like David did so many years ago.   No matter how great, wise or powerful we are on earth, we are all created beings who must acknowledge the majesty and sovereignty of the one true God.  And to come before God and to seek Him is to realize that He alone is worthy and that there can be no higher calling on earth than that of servant of the Most High God.

I acknowledge myself as His servant.  How about you?

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The Best Me

August 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Yellow Butterfly Purple FlowersToday’s post isn’t actually here! Today’s post is a guest piece I submitted to Mr. T.E. Hanna over at his blog, Of Dust and Kings.

Several weeks ago I contacted Mr. Hanna and asked him if he minded taking a look at my site and if he had any advice for improvements to matthew515. He had several great suggestions, one of which was guest posting on other blogs in order to build relationships and readership in the blogging community.

The piece I wrote tells the story of how matthew515 came to be and about the kind of Christian I was before I gave God complete control of my life. The working title was “The Best Me” but in it’s final form it is entitled “Recovering Our Humanity: The Secret Life Of A Submitted Servant”.

I would very much appreciate it if you would click the link and read not only my guest post but also take a look at Mr. Hanna’s site as I am sure that it will bless, challenge and encourage you. If you find something that interests you, please leave a comment and join in the discussion.

Update: I’ve been informed that this guest post update will actually go live on Wednesday morning and not today. Sorry for the confusion. I’ll set another reminder here for Wednesday morning. Thank you for your patience.

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