Leadership and Persistence: Lessons from 1 Samuel 1–3 and Matthew 18
God is so loving and kind to us, but He expects - nay, requires - us to grow. I believe God is encouraging His church to keep going, to press on. Keep building and keep fighting well. We see this in the story of Hannah, as she prays for God’s favor and then obediently rejoices when God answers her pleas (1 Samuel 1–2).
Still, we are shocked when God disciplines us. Just as in the time of the Judges, God does discipline us for our failure to obey Him, for our failure to discipline ourselves, and for our failure to hold those in our charge accountable. I’ve been reading lately about the battles of the conquistadors in Mexico in 1520 and 1521, the gains they made, the internal fighting, and how Cortés saw the cause as one of advancing the Kingdom of God. It’s a remarkable, truly epic story. Cortés ran a disciplined operation. He was a crafty diplomat, a brave warrior, and an oddball evangelist. In his famous attack on the Mexican capital, he had fewer than a thousand Castilians under his command, but approximately 100,000 tribal Mexicans who had pledged allegiance to him, allied against their dynastic enemies, the Mexica. Under the banner of the Cross of Christ, the conquistadors and their allies were victorious. Heaven will be filled with never-ending good stories of great advances in the Kingdom of God.
During the time of the Judges, when Samuel came onto the scene (about 1,100 BC), the Bible makes clear that Eli, the priest who took care of young Samuel, was well warned by God of the consequences of failing to live as God requires (1 Samuel 3). We are to love God and His royal law that sets us free. And we are to obey His standards, for faith and obedience hold the destination of our souls (Psalm 25:10).
God is so patient and kind to us. He’s forgiven our many sins. God does what is right and shows us He’s alive, orchestrating good and revealing a proper path for us. But don’t pretend that God is okay with our sin. Don’t think for a second that God is happy to tolerate it; God is patient and merciful, but also perfect and just. Let’s be humble and teachable. And let’s fear the Mighty One - the LORD of Heaven’s Armies (for He calms the seas and brings the storms).
You see, leaders, like Cortés during his campaigns in Mexico, and like Paul and John in the vanguard of the early battles of the Church’s spiritual wars, know there are days of setback. And on such days, we must regroup, for just ahead there are days of advance. God created us all with free will so that we may choose Him, and so that we may choose this day, in small decisions and large, to obediently follow the way of Jesus Christ.
There is a lot we don’t know about the spiritual realm. That’s God’s prerogative. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the angels who are always in your presence (Matthew 18:10). May we do well before You today.
I pray today for my family and friends to have faith in God’s work, His provision, and how He orchestrates the forces of men for His good purpose. Without resilient, good men, the evil men will prevail. And that shall not happen, for the Kingdom of God will advance until the return of the King.
Be bold for Christ. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).
Turn from sin to right living and obediently help others for God today. God sees through the facades and knows the hearts and actions of all men. God wants all people to have eternal life, and He gives us the ability and responsibility to put our faith into action (Matthew 18:14).
Thank You, Jesus, for good men willing to hear Your good guidance today and to make disciples as You command us to do. Amen.
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