ESOCS Devotional 17 September
TEXT: 2 Samuel 23:16-39 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.” 2 Samuel 23:16
True loyalty is very important in Leader-Servant relationship. The leader must be loyal to his people to earn their loyalty in return. This is the principle of reciprocity in Leader-Servant relationship. David was loyal to the people and he earned their loyalty in return.
Loyalty, in general use, is a devotion and faithfulness by someone to another. It is a strong feeling or allegiance; a quality or remaining faithful, committed, dedicated. It is staying true to someone: feelings of friendship, support, or duty towards someone. In the Bible, the concept of loyalty is purely relational. This means our whole being is thoroughly committed to someone (Josh. 24:15). The traits of a loyal friend are that he is honest, impartial, has boundaries, and do not do conditional friendship or give conditional support.
David was in the cave of Adullam close to the valley of Rephaim where the Philistines camped. They had earlier occupied Bethlehem. David felt homesick and wished someone would bring him a drink of water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem. Three out of his thirty famous and loyal soldiers met his wish as we can see from the memory verse above. They forced their way through the Philistines’ camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. He rewarded them in return.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
We can learn many lessons from the above. First, loyalty begets loyalty: David was loyal to his soldiers and invested so much in them such that fierce loyalty was the natural result. Second, true loyalty is divine, faithful, and committed; no doubt, the three soldiers risked their lives. Third, loyalty like this comes only through modelling. David had long modelled such loyalty to his men. Finally, you appreciate God for such loyalty because it is a virtue given only by Him: David honoured their sacrifice by presenting it (the water) to God rather than drinking it (2 Sam. 23:17).
Leaders everywhere and in whatever capacity are expected to demonstrate loyalty to the people they are leading, most especially, Church leaders, to earn their committed loyalty. The led are also expected to be loyal to their leaders in all things. God was firmly with Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry; in return, Jesus was loyal to God to the end. God is loyal to us as believers. Are we loyal to Him?
CHALLENGES
- What kind of loyalty is your leader demonstrating to his flock? What is the reaction?
PRAYER POINT:
- Pray for honest leadership and followership in our nation and in the Church of God worldwide.
FURTHER READING: 2 Samuel 23:8-15; 2 Samuel 15:21; Ruth 1:16-18; John 15:13
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ESOCS Devotional 17 September
