Warriors Arise: September 6, 2022
1 Samuel 18:5-9 (NKJV) So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” 8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward.
What others say can get us into a whole lot of trouble. Saul was angry, because he was jealous. He didn't like that the women of the city were singing of Saul and David. They referenced Saul first, but they did not give Saul credit for David's ten thousands. Sometimes we have leaders who want credit for what we have done. They want to be recognized for something they didn't do. Saul had killed his thousands ,but then he sent David with the men of war and didn't even go to battle.
It surprises me that Saul is even bothered by this. At least, the women have still credited him with killing his thousands. At this point, Saul is not the one returning from battle, David is. Yet, they start off with praising Saul for his thousands and he wasn't even in the battle. David could be offended, because he could be thinking, "What thousand did Saul kill. I didn't see him on the battlefield. Did you?" But David didn't say that. He acted wisely in everything Saul asked him to do.
Instead, Saul begins whining, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands." When you and I have been given a leadership position, there is a responsibility to serve with honor in that capacity. We need to give honor to those who serve us well. We need to acknowledge their achievements and appreciate what they have done. If we weren't the ones doing the work, then we need to give honor those who were.
It can be easy to slip into whining when we foster excuses, for why we aren't doing what we are supposed to be doing. It is also easy to whine, when we are concerned someone else will get more praise than us. However, we must be different. If someone else is doing our job, then we either need to step it up and do the job or we need to join the people - if not lead the people in honoring what they have achieved.
As a leader, we need to make sure we honor those who serve us well. We need to find a way to acknowledge what they have done. We want them to continue to serve with us and to achieve their very best, not for us, but to develop into all God would have for them.
Paul was not afraid of Timothy being a greater success than him. Paul called out the gifts God had put inside of him. He wanted Timothy to begin teaching the people and prepare them before Paul arrived. He left him in charge and supported him in ministry 100%. We need to look at the people God has placed in our lives and see where we can encourage them to step into all God would have for them. Paul was not jealous of Timothy. Paul was proud of God working through Timothy.
As leaders, we need to respond to those God has placed around us and release them into their gifting. We need to give them opportunity to excel. We need to exhort and build them up in the ways of our Lord. We need to join in celebrating what they have accomplished, even if it is greater deeds than us.
Father, I ask for You to give me courage to release others into their calling. I want to give them the opportunity to use their gifting and develop it. I pray for blessing to come upon those who are serving with me. I pray they would abound in wisdom, structure, understanding, and love from You and for You and to the people they serve. I desire to build them up and give them opportunities to excel. I will be their cheerleader. I will not hold them back. I will seek You to bless them and bring abundance in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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