Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.” Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain. For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. But if you keep doing evil, you will be consumed, both you and your king.””
(1 Samuel 12:19-25)

“I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you— if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.”
(Titus 1:5-9)

A king in and of itself is not evil. The problem was that the Israelites were (a) looking to be like the nations around them, not separated unto God as a unique and privileged people; and (b) they were looking to a king to solve their problems and judge them, not letting God provide and God instruct, and God command them. They were replacing God with a human king. They would only succeed with a king if BOTH the people AND the king remained godly. That in spite of having this ruler and the ruler imbued with power and authority over them, they were ALL to look to God as their salvation, their protection, and their provision. They might have the trappings of a king and be a king’s kingdom, but in truth they were God’s chosen people and only HE had the right to be the authority and protector of the people.

Godly leaders are IMPORTANT. Paul had left Titus behind to ensure that godly leaders were being placed into position over the churches in the region. When disciples of Jesus get together, they deserve the assurance that their leaders are godly. Godly in temperament, godly in their own lives, and godly in their approach to shepherding the flock. We all strive to align our thinking, behaviour, and words with God’s will (His Word). How much more should our leaders strive? It is only when godly people are united together with the Lord that real change happens. When a group of people are humbly submitting themselves to the Lord and letting Him take charge is when the world around us gets the best and most true witness of Jesus’ love for them.

Summary

There is NO replacement for putting God first in our lives. To put our priority on hearing from Him through His Word and His Holy Spirit. Godly decisions are made when we lean on Him more than on us (Proverbs 16:9). It is God who is our best teacher, our best corrector, and our best guide (Psalm 32:8). Godly leaders help us make the right foundations so that we can live our lives focused on Him, depending on the Lord for everything we need. They help point us toward godly desires and conduct, help us keep our eyes on God’s prize: being a light to the world so that they can see the possibilities in a relationship with God.