Daily Devotion

December 17, 2012

The Call to Leadership (3)


“The Lord said…‘Go on before the people.’” Ex 17:5

To be a good leader you must do these two things: (1) Spend time with the people. For four hundred years the children of Israel had been leaderless. As a result, they had no identity or self-worth. Actually, they had a slave mentality. So Moses often walked among them, because sheep gain confidence by smelling the shepherd’s scent and rubbing up against him. Getting the idea? If you’re afraid to get close to people maybe it’s because you’ve too much to hide—like pride, or insecurity, or weakness. Only when people feel truly valued will they value you and follow you. (2) Get out ahead of the people. How do you know when it’s time to move to new territory? “The people murmured against Moses” (v.3). That’s because there was no water where they were, and thirsty sheep always complain. When the murmuring starts, you may have spent too long socializing. It’s time to transition. “The Lord said unto Moses, ‘Go on before the people…smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it’” (vv.5-6). When you stop trying to fit in, and get out ahead of them, God will give you supernatural resources equal to the challenge you’re facing. No vision is permanently stopped by lack of finances, but by a lack of faith and courage, and an unwillingness to step out and take risks. When you do, you’ll discover that God can “supply all your need according to His riches in glory” (Php 4:19 NKJV). According to what? His riches! And they are available when you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone and act boldly.

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