EQUIPPED, WITH OPTIONS

2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1

“Joash was seven years old when he became king. Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu’s reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba. All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”

“Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, ‘Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.’”

“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.”

How does a seven year old rule a nation? How does a bigoted tentmaker find a voice that leads thousands to a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? What gives us the strength and determination to persevere in the midst of adversity? Of course, it’s the Holy Spirit in each case. With Jesus as our wingman, we can continue to soar, even when others crash and burn. Truly, God equips those He calls, not the other way around. His equipping, however, is seldom done in isolation. That’s why those who claim power for and in themselves are not usually being honest. Such assertions usually are a red flag, especially when it comes to visionaries, because Godly leaders almost never chart any course by themselves. They have a support team of trusted friends and advisors who also are equipped by the Father to help guide the guides.

Joash got through the early years of his reign “because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” It was not always so: Joash eventually found himself instructing Jehoiada to stop misdirecting funds and use them as commanded for Temple repairs. That does not change the fact that, in his formative, immature years, Joash needed Jehoiada’s help to determine and do what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. Those who claim uniquely personal divine inspiration and possess the mantle of leadership solely for themselves without any accountability should be approached with extreme caution and probably should not be followed at all.

David Koresh and Jim Jones are both examples of leaders who had no accountability and a personal affinity for secrecy and a dictatorial style. The ripples of destruction which radiated out from their cults’ demises hurt many more than just the cult members who perished. Still, there will always be people who gravitate to such charismatic leaders. These victims frequently are seduced by the promise of having someone else make their decisions or are for whatever reason distrustful of their own abilities. Consequently, when one seemingly able and willing to tell them what to do enters their lives, they are only too happy to abdicate all personal responsibility and initiative. This is sad enough on its own, but when those entrusted prove to be nothing more than predators of the soul, the predictable results are never what God intends. All leaders need accountability, and wise followers do not follow those who reject it.

Praise God that true disciples always have options when true ministries are frustrated. Most people identify Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles without realizing how long he spent in fruitless effort trying to convert fellow Jews. Only after he accepted his ineffectiveness was he ready and willing to turn to the “heathen” and present them with the Gospel as the Lord always intended. But don’t miss the fact he had help throughout his career when the tough choices had to be made. Timothy, Luke, Silas, Barnabas, Aquilla, Priscilla and others all played a part in the ministry most of us think was exclusively Paul’s. Few self-powered ministers have or have had Paul’s flexibility or vision, but then relatively few cultivate the support with which Paul was blessed, either.

All disciples need the accountability and support of others to help them see when their mission is misguided. Those who think they don’t need it at all usually need it the most. When we lead without accountability and reject the help and support of others, we need to ask ourselves one question: what are we afraid of?