March 12, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – ALL RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, March 12, 2021.
ALL RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP
Read: Judges 3:7-12
Judges 3:7-12 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.
But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.
So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord.
MEMORISE:
For those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up. (Isaiah 9:16)
EXPOSITION
Today, there is much outcry about failing and failed nations around the world, and almost ‘A-No-Way Out’ situation we have found ourselves! We actually need no prophet to tell us that almost 90% of our avoidable difficulties is occasioned by bad leadership!
The headship or leadership of any country, home, church, organisation and what have you, determines largely their viability, stability and virility. The battle for success of any nation, or country, or home is either lost, or won through men and women at the helms of affairs (Mt.15:14). Leader of whatever capacity must first and foremost realise and internalize that, it is God who rules in the affairs of men.
When leaders fail to recognise and acknowledge God’s superior and supernatural Headship on them, the story will always be the same. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is imploring all the upcoming leaders (including you, reader of this piece) to choose to do things differently, so that things can change fie better. Being privileged to be a leader in that home, church or organisation should be truly seen as a privilege. There are countless others who are better, finer, more educated and more brilliant than you, but they don’t have the grace. Therefore, justify the privilege by doing the needful (Ps. 139:24). The needful, yes, the actions that glorify God and bring BENEFITS to those being led.
Leadership position is not for life. You go up and come down someday. Some leaders broke the ladder since they already reached the top! They never think of the people who are coming up. They believed they would be up there for life; that is why many of them crash landed instead of landing! They had broken the ladder out of selfish interest. Jesus charged His disciples to reject being like these worldly leaders (Mk.10:42-45). You should follow Christ’s leadership style, God helping you.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, deliver us from destructive leaders and help the up-coming leader to internalize You.
2. Help the Church to playfully and through the Word prepare all the members for leadership roles.
3. Lord, help the political leaders to learn from the past so as to know that power comes from You and should be used wisely.
EXTRA READINGS FOR TODAY: Numbers 25:9-26:54; Mark 12:12-12:33