Care for those You Lead

"Then the commanders of the Philistines went out to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed." - 1 Samuel 18.30

In his attempt to eliminate David, Saul placed him over 1,000 soldiers, in the hopes that the Philistines will kill David in battle. However, the text says that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul. The Hebrew word used means "to be prudent," or "to have insight". When David in on the battlefield he is not carelessly engaging the Philistines, but tactfully and intelligently fighting the enemy. He is not rashly risking his life, or the lives of his men. And because of this, he gains great respect among the army.

Men, how do you act when faced with a difficult task? Do you strike quickly, blindly charging ahead, hoping to take the enemy by surprise? Or do you examine the possible casualties and make your decisions based on the wisest course of action?

David was a warrior, a man who knew battle first hand, and was not afraid of engaging the enemy. However, he did not carelessly waste the lives of his men to achieve victory. His behavior was wise, showing that he valued the lives of each of his men as his own. This level of care brought him respect, and favor with the people.

Let us be men who weigh the risks, and work to protect those we lead. May we never carelessly waste time and resources by blindly moving forward. Let us lead with wisdom.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Threat to Power

"It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. The women sang as they played, and said, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on." -1 Samuel 18.6-9

The Spirit of God has departed from Saul and descended upon David. When Saul sees that the people are beginning to favor David he begins to look at David with suspicion. At that point he begins to try to eliminate David, the threat to his kingdom. He personally tries to kill him, and when that attempt is unsuccessful he tries to set him up to be killed in battle. All of his attempts fail because God is with David.

How do we handle those we perceive to be a threat to our power? I'm guessing that no one reading this is not dealing with a physical throne being taken away from them, but what about a threat to your job? The youth pastor is favored over the lead pastor. This person has great success at work and is quickly climbing the corporate ladder. This new teachers classes are always fuller than the older classes. Name your situation. What is your reaction in that moment?

Looking at Saul, he desperately clung to power, and tried to do everything he could to remove the threat. He was unsuccessful because he was trying to eliminate God's chosen leader. Not every situation will be this drastic, but how do we handle the ones that aren't? Ministry is my area, and so that is where I will focus, but the concept is applicable across the board. Too many pastors stay in leadership longer than they should and do damage to the Kingdom. They refuse to share the pulpit because the youth pastor might be more popular. In some cases the youth pastor may even be fired to protect the pastor's ego.

Men, we are not going to live forever, and we cannot stay in power forever. We were not intended to. There is a time for us to take the lead, and also a time for us to step down. In one sense we must work ourselves out of a job by training up the future leaders. We can perceive them as a threat and then spend our remaining time fighting it, destroying their reputations and futures, at the expense of our own ministry. Or we can take the opportunity to help prepare them to take the lead. That is the way God intended for it to be done.

Let us be men who do not desperately cling to power, and work to eliminate every threat to our rule. Let us be men who work to prepare the next generation of leaders so that the Kingdom can continue to advance.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Friendship

"Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself... Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt." 1 Samuel 18.1, 3-4

David has slain the giant, and become part of Saul's staff, and during this time found his best friend. Let me say from the beginning that the relationship between David and Jonathan was not homosexual. The language used and the cultural mannerisms described do not imply that in any way. What we see here at the beginning of 1 Samuel 18 is the close relationship of brothers, willing to bleed together, and if need be, die for one another.

Jonathan makes a covenant with David, and as a symbol of the covenant gives David his robe, his armor, and his weapons. The two are bound together in an eternal bond of friendship. Jonathan gives David the means he has of protecting himself, his armor and weapons, in order that David might be safe in battle. He cares for David's life as his own, and will risk his to keep David safe.

Men, do you have a friend like that? Is there someone, aside from your wife and children, that you are willing to risk your life for? Do you have a close friendship? Most men don't. Friendships like this are rare because they involve risk and vulnerability. They involve sacrifice. Many en aren't willing to do those things. Many men go it alone, refusing to ask for help, and refusing to accept help that is offered.

Clearly this is not something that we will have with everyone. There are men I trust, and men I don't. There are men I will open my heart to and share the deep things with, and men I avoid making small talk with. There are men I know have my back, and men that I would never consider going into a fight with. There are men I would bleed with and even be willing to die for, and those that I wouldn't.

This is not a common, empty thing. This is a friendship that takes place between a few individuals who are willing to sacrifice for each other, and it is a rare thing.

Let us be men with at least one close friend.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor