February 5, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – THE PASTOR YOU REALLY NEED
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Friday, February 5, 2021
THE PASTOR YOU REALLY NEED
Read: Judges 17:7-13
Judges 17:7-13 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.
And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.
And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.
And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.
MEMORISE:
And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15)
EXPOSITION
Most sadly today, not all members of local churches under pastors truly have pastors indeed. Some have pastors who are best described as hired workers. Other people have pastors indeed, who are God-sent ministers to them. Let us see these different portraits of pastors.
First, there is a category of people who go to church but don’t actually have pastors in the real sense. They claim to have, but don’t have respect, and fear God in their lives. Such members don’t obey or submit to their so-called spiritual fathers (cf. Heb. 13:17). In a church where everyone is allowed to do what they think is right in their own eyes, true pastoral leadership is lacking (cf. Jdg. 17:6). You don’t have a pastor, if the one you claim to have is not concerned about your character development and spiritual maturity as much as he cares for what to get from you. They also pamper you for fear of not losing you, but sadly, to your detriment.
Secondly, some have hired pastors who are mere puppets to them as in the case of the Levite who was hired by Micah as priest for his household with an attendant agreement (Jdg. 17:7-13; 18:3-4). You cannot enjoy the grace of God upon the life of the pastor you see as your hired labourer. That kind of ministry will not bless you.
Finally, the pastor you really need is the one who is free enough to instruct, correct, rebuke, discipline and encourage you in your Christian journey (1 Cor. 5:1-13; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:1-5). The pastor you need is the one who feeds you with knowledge and understanding from above, not the esoteric or mystical ones, anyway (Jer. 3:15; 23:4). The Pastor you need is the one whose life and family serve as a good example to follow (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Above all, you need the pastor whose ministry helps your spiritual growth and moves you to maturity (Eph. 4:11-14).
Are you also a sheep or goat? Are you ready to listen to the great shepherd? Be wise.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, help me to obey and submit to the pastors You put as angels over my life.
2. I confess, in Jesus’ name, the ministry of my pastor will be a blessing to my life, family, job, etc.
3. Pray that God should not stoop punitively exposing those self-acclaimed ministers of God who use means to enhance their boom.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 26:5 – 28:10; Matthew 22:43 – 23:18