picture of Agape leaders + families taken at
the Leaders' Appreciate Banquet in 2006
the Leaders' Appreciate Banquet in 2006
Scripture
"Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted. Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his rescue and killed the Philistine. After that, David's men declared, "You are not going out to battle again! Why should we risk snuffing out the light of Israel?" These four Philistines were descended from the giants of Gath but they were killed by David and his warriors" (2 Samuel 21:15-17).
Observation
David had started his warrior life with a fight with a giant, and he ended his battle career in a fight with a giant. In some ways the second giant battle was more significant than David's first. The first showed what kind of a man David was. The second showed what kind of men he had.
Several interesting things happened.
First his cousin Abishai rescued David when he was whooped. There are men, a few men in life, who will fight along side of a leader but it isn't until a crisis moment that their real value is known. Abishai saved David's life and such an act of bravery and loyalty is the greatest gift a leader can receive.
Second the leaders around David matured to the point hat it wasn't necessary for them to have the King leading the charge as a PR stunt. They were made of better stuff. A change had come and they adapted well to that. They would step up to the battle line even if he was not there and still fight as if he were.
Third, because David had the humility to rest on the strength of his loyal leadership team they finished a job that had waited a lifetime to complete. All of Goliath's brothers were killed. David had selected five smooth stones. One killed Goliath, the rest were intended for his brothers. But it was not David who finished that job. It was his mighty men. The excellence of his leadership was proved not in the battles he fought and won but the loyal leaders who were released to fight and win.
Several interesting things happened.
First his cousin Abishai rescued David when he was whooped. There are men, a few men in life, who will fight along side of a leader but it isn't until a crisis moment that their real value is known. Abishai saved David's life and such an act of bravery and loyalty is the greatest gift a leader can receive.
Second the leaders around David matured to the point hat it wasn't necessary for them to have the King leading the charge as a PR stunt. They were made of better stuff. A change had come and they adapted well to that. They would step up to the battle line even if he was not there and still fight as if he were.
Third, because David had the humility to rest on the strength of his loyal leadership team they finished a job that had waited a lifetime to complete. All of Goliath's brothers were killed. David had selected five smooth stones. One killed Goliath, the rest were intended for his brothers. But it was not David who finished that job. It was his mighty men. The excellence of his leadership was proved not in the battles he fought and won but the loyal leaders who were released to fight and win.
Application
Who can a leader trust? Many at the beginning of the journey swear loyalty. But many wander off to follow their own interests. Others will betray. Some will turn on the leader and become his fiercest enemies. Who can a leader trust? Those who are still fighting for him and with him at the end are the warriors he can trust.
As I reflect back to the last 23 years of the church, I am so grateful for those who have remained faithful and have persevered with me through the many battles we had to fight. There are too many to name and some would not want to be named but you know who you are and I just want to thank you and appreciate you for never giving up on all that the Lord has called us to together. Thank you for serving the Lord together with me.
As I reflect back to the last 23 years of the church, I am so grateful for those who have remained faithful and have persevered with me through the many battles we had to fight. There are too many to name and some would not want to be named but you know who you are and I just want to thank you and appreciate you for never giving up on all that the Lord has called us to together. Thank you for serving the Lord together with me.
Prayer
Father, help me to be like Abishai... like one of the men around David who proved faithfulness not with words but in action. Amen.
NOTE: This will be the last SOAP post for some time. By God's grace, I have managed to put up a total of 25 SOAP devotionals in the month of May.
NOTE: This will be the last SOAP post for some time. By God's grace, I have managed to put up a total of 25 SOAP devotionals in the month of May.
