The Challenges of Leadership

I spent most of today in Denver. I attended the annual board meeting of Abundant Word Ministries. Bible Teacher Ruth Hickman is in her 37th of ministry and is still going strong at 80! Ruth has been a long time friend of mine and my family. When I was in Colby, Kansas, I mentioned to Ruth about a retreat center in the little town of Rexford, Kansas. Abundant Word Ministries conducted a fall retreat at that facility for over 10 years, that proved to be a blessing to many living in rural areas of Kansas and Nebraska. (http://www.abundantword.org/)

I also had a visit and lunch with my mom after dropping Debbie’s car off for some repairs.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Yes, I have sinned,” Saul replied. “I disobeyed the Lord‘s command and your instructions. I was afraid of my men and did what they wanted.” 1 Samuel 15:24

The story of Saul as the first King of Israel is an interesting one. Since he was the first King all the structure of his rule had to be established from “scratch.” There was no standing army, no palace, no governmental structure, no system of taxation or administration to finance or carry out the affairs of the King outside of the tribal leadership of elders established by Moses.

Saul was one whose appearance commanded attention and respect, (he was tall and handsome) but he was self-conscious about who he was and the standing of his father’s house and the tribe he was from. Saul’s tribe of Benjamin had almost been wiped out because of the rampant sin that brought God’s judgment. (Judges 20:18-28)

Saul learned, as many leaders, that you always have your detractors. When it was announced that he was the anointed King, not all were excited.

When Saul was declared King scripture records that, “Some powerful men, whose hearts God had touched, went with him. But some worthless people said, “How can this fellow do us any good?” They despised Saul and did not bring him any gifts.” (1 Samuel 10:26,27)

While every leader will have his or her detractors or reluctant followers, the ones who make a difference are those whose hearts are with the leader. It is interesting that the “powerful men” were loyal to Saul and “worthless people” were the trouble makers.

Leadership is shown by how a leader treats detractors. This is one area where Saul, “got it right.” After leading the armies of Israel in a successful battle, those who were loyal to Saul wanted to kill those who did not readily accept Saul. Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this is the day the Lord rescued Israel.” And Samuel said to them, “Let us all go to Gilgal and once more proclaim Saul as our king.” (1 Samuel 11:13,14) This event provided an opportunity for all to rally behind Saul and be unified as a people.

Leaders are accountable to God as well as the people. Samuel addressed the people and said,Now here is the king you chose; you asked for him, and now the Lord has given him to you. All will go well with you if you honor the Lord your God, serve him, listen to him, and obey his commands, and if you and your king follow him.  But if you do not listen to the Lord but disobey his commands, he will be against you and your king.”                             (1 Samuel 12:13,14)

Leaders instill courage to replace fear. the people with him were trembling with fear. He [Saul] waited seven days for Samuel…but Samuel still had not come to Gilgal. The people began to desert Saul,  so he said to them, “Bring me the burnt sacrifices and the fellowship sacrifices.” He offered a burnt sacrifice….”                                 (1 Samuel 13:8-10)

It appears that Saul was an inactive leader waiting for Samuel to arrive and then panic set in and he assumed the place of the priest in offering the sacrifice in an attempt to hold the army together. It appears that Saul did not communicate to the troops why they were waiting for the battle and the importance of honoring God’s prophet and trusting the Lord regardless of the circumstances that they are facing. The Lord would have been able to win the battle for the Israelites with those left when Samuel arrived. The key to victory was not reliance on numbers, but obedience to the Lord.

Rash commitments, easily backfire   “The Israelites were weak with hunger that day, because Saul, with a solemn oath, had given the order: “A curse be on anyone who eats any food today before I take revenge on my enemies.” So nobody had eaten anything all day.”    (1 Samuel 14:24)

When Saul gave the order for his men not to eat until after the battle, that was not a well thought out plan. It is difficult to know if Saul view this imposed “fast” as a way of gaining the Lord’s favor or what the source of the oath was. The decision, as a result, impacted the strength of his army. Also, his son Jonathan, who was not aware of the oath, ate some honey and in the end Saul had to back off his pledge to “kill anyone who broke the oath.” That certainly would not have helped his standing as a leader.

Leading by “public opinion” can compromise principles. The Lord instructed Saul to take revenge on the     Amalekites and to destroy all people and livestock. Saul, kept alive some of the livestock and the King Agag. This exchange between Saul and Samuel is classic,

[Saul]…“The Lord bless you, Samuel! I have obeyed the Lord‘s command.” Samuel asked, “Why, then, do I hear cattle mooing and sheep bleating?” Saul answered, “My men took them from the Amalekites. They kept the best sheep and cattle to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have destroyed completely.”                    (1 Samuel 15:13-15)

But Samuel was not impressed and as the prophet pronounces judgement on Saul’s reign, the truth comes out. “I was afraid of my men and did what they wanted.” As a result, Saul honored his men over the Lord and allowed his insecurities to diminish his leadership to that of a follower.

When David succeed Saul as King, he had his challenges as a leader. Yet, he was known as “a man after God’s own heart.” The Lord does not expect perfection from human leaders, but He does expect commitment and obedience and a heart to follow after the Lord.

Remember these words of Solomon,  “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him..” (Proverbs 16:7) “The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.”  (Proverbs 19:25)