I Feared The People

Our focus in this 06/15 News Letter is Exemplary Leadership. King Saul is exhibit ‘A’ of failed leadership. What specifically was his failure? What wickedness was he guilty of that cost him his role as King and deposed him as the leader in Israel?

Let the text of Scripture answer this question.

Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. (1 Samuel 15:24)

Saul feared the people more than he feared the LORD. That single act of cowardice resulted in his removal from the office of king. 

Consider such leadership failures as recorded in the text of the Old Testament.

1.  10 Spies – the 10 spies brought a bad report to the people. (Num. 13:32-33)

2.  Moses - struck the rock rather than speak to the rock as he was commanded. (Num. 20:11-12)

3.  Saul – he feared Goliath more than he trusted the LORD; dismayed & afraid. (1Sam. 17:11)

In each instance a single failure resulted in very costly consequences. The 10 spies died in the wilderness and their cowardice consigned the nation to 40years of wandering. Moses was denied entrance into the Promise Land, a destination for which he had labored for 40 years to achieve. Saul, while blessed with significant physical stature, had a heart that lacked courage. This is a monumental flaw for any leader.

The lesson is this. The LORD is Sovereign. His word is the ultimate authority in life, ministry and leadership. Do what he commands. Never ever yield to the voices of the people you are leading when their voices are urging you to ignore the LORD and disregard his directives. Engage a study through the Scriptures of the instances when the voice of the people was heeded. This is a very revealing endeavor. This study will equip any leader with the historical pattern and consequences on this crucial aspect of leadership.

In a recent Face Book post Pastor John MacArthur said the following:

To preach the gospel in the professing Christian world today, is to engage in more spiritual warfare than to preach the gospel to the world of the lost.

This observation is painfully true. I appeal to my readers that serve as a leader in the body of Christ. Your task is beyond difficult. You must lead with unflinching courage. You must lead with genuine compassion and love for those you lead. You must at all cost resist any attempt by those you lead to modify or abandon what God has clearly commanded. The consequences of disobedience are horrific both for time and for eternity.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:14-20)