August 16, Attitude Toward Leaders

Today’s reading: Psalms 76-80

“You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron” - Psalm 77:20.

God was the One leading in the wilderness, but He did so through His appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron. God is still a leadership God, working through those whom He gives insight and courage to be out in front of the people. At the same time, Moses and Aaron were not perfect men, and the people often suffered because of them. You must have realistic expectations where leaders are concerned; they cannot be God for you — making your decisions and exerting authority God never intended them to have. Yet God expects you to submit to authority because He has established the authority. Peter wrote these words to servants, and you would do well to extract a lesson from what he was teaching:

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God (1 Peter 2:19-20).

What is your attitude toward your leaders? Do you respect authority, not because it is perfect, but because it is the will of God? Do you expect too much from authority while you submit, requiring their perfection or their ability to hear God on your behalf?