Suggested Bible Reading: Proverbs 16-18
Devotional Thought:
Title: “The Instruction to Leaders.”
From kings to kinfolks, the clever to the clowns, the godly and the gossipers, the lofty and the lowly, these all flood the pages of Proverbs and from them we can learn the important lessons of conduct and consequences. However, above all the actors who are portrayed on the stage of this great book of the Bible, there is one looming and ever-present figure. He is the One who not only views the stage and all its drama, but who is able to turn each event for His own purposes and plans. Man’s free will does not nullify God’s sovereignty; neither does God’s sovereignty cancel man’s free will! Theological wars have raged over the issues of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. One author states, “Calvinists and Armenians have filled volumes with their writings, pulpits with their arguing, and at times, sadly, even streets with their blood over this issue.” And sad to say, the battle continues even to our day. Some would go so far as to claim that God’s sovereignty extends almost to the border of His being the author of every act and deed, including sin. Others would so weaken God and exalt man’s free will that God is reduced to an impotent bystander in the world He has created. What marks the Lord in His righteous and sovereign rule of the universe must also mark each leader in his own little world of influence. This may seem more valuable to all those readers this morning who aspire to be in leadership roles, but it does not seem to profit the vast majority of people who are content to follow. However it is important to remember that, just as the king is God’s representative to carry out His will on earth, so every individual in a position of leadership is to be marked by the very same righteous principles which reflect a proper view of God. This would apply to husbands, fathers, and pastors. It is also very applicable for mothers who lead their children, teachers who lead their students, or ladies who lead a Bible study group. Looked at in this way, the teaching becomes very confrontational and insightful. While the first nine verses of chapter 16 teach us the ways of God with men, and the next six verses deal with those who represent Him, the remainder of the chapter presents the choices, which each leader must make. The result of those choices will determine the nature of our leadership and how accurately it represents the God whom we serve. It is important to remember that all authority is delegated, not inherent in us. “The view of royal authority in Proverbs suggests that every person must learn to be second-in-command if he or she is to exercise leadership well.” (P. Koptak) “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.” (vs. 13) Many of the verses that follow verse 13 point to the danger of pride. Rather than being a weakness or character flaw, pride is the glowing sin that will blind us to everything else. A king who is proud will surround himself with men who will flatter his ego and stroke his sense of self-importance. However, Solomon reminds us that… “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (verse 19) May we all learn to lead with a sense of humility and a spirit of grace.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to remember you never give up the right to decide. You are the supreme leader, and I get all my directives from you.
- Lord, thank you for the reminder of the dangers and destructive nature of pride. Help me to be humble.
- Lord, please help me to make choices that please you and give people a right opinion of you.