Follow the Leader

“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.   And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.” I Samuel 14-7

During a fierce battle between Israel and the Philistines, Jonathan and his armourbearer became separated from the rest of the army.  The leader of their unit was not there to tell them what to do, so when Jonathan saw a small group of Philistines, he suggested to his armourbearer that they climb up to where the enemy was and perhaps God would make them victorious.  No doubt the young man was fearful, knowing that there were no other soldiers near to come to their aid should they have problems.  But because of his loyalty, at this point Jonathan became his leader and he followed his advice.

As I was reading this, I was thinking about how God places different people over us at different times in our lives and whoever we are under, we need to be willing to do as they ask.  Sometimes we may think we know more than they do, but if we will just go along with their leadership, we will find that God will bless us, and everything will turn out all right.

How many times, has our Pastor preached His heart out, sharing the Word of God in a service?  As he finishes, he makes an appeal for us to come to the altar.  Sometimes we think that the appeal is for others, and we can just stay in our seat and pray.  I know I have been guilty of doing that. But we do not know who is watching us.  Maybe someone sitting behind us is saying: “If she/he goes up to pray, then I will go too.”  But if we don’t obey what our pastor has asked, then that person will feel that it is not important.  God has given the Pastor a message and I am sure that his appeal is just as anointed as the rest of the sermon.

In the NLT, the armourbearer replies: “Do what you think is best, I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” May we be willing to listen to those that are in authority over us, and follow their leadership.

Prayer: Jesus, so many times we are guilty of going our own way, doing our own thing.  Help us to be mindful of the leader you have placed us under and willing to do whatever they ask, that your Name may be glorified.

Devotion by Anne Johnston