When we follow the Lord there will be a time and place that He calls on us to lead. It may be a Sunday School class, a study group, a section leader, an administrator, a city, a nation or a family.
God is always looking for faithful people who have a heart for Him. He had Noah “lead” all the animals on to the ark. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. A shepherd boy named David was God’s chosen leader of the nation of Israel. The apostles were sent by Jesus to lead the world to salvation.
Each one of us has a purpose, designed by God to lead in some particular way.
This morning, I want to focus on Moses. He was a reluctant leader. He had all sorts of excuses when God first called him from the burning bush. However, he was obedient and led them out of the bondage they experienced to the Promised Land.
The Israelites weren’t always willing followers. They were often times rebellious trying Moses’ patience and God’s. The whole time that Moses was leading the people he was also following God.
Good leaders are good followers!
“God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:12 CEV
Moses led the people by following God’s cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.
“Because of your great mercy, you never abandoned them in the desert. And you always guided them with a cloud by day and a fire at night.” Nehemiah 9:19 CEV
Moses was faithful in seeking God’s direction.
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not said who will go along to help me. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13 If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don’t forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.’
14 The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’
15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.'” Exodus 33:12-16 CEV
When God puts us in a place of leadership, we need to have the same mindset that Moses had. “If You don’t go with us, then I’m not going”. When the Lord goes with us, we will have His peace. We can trust His leading.
The Apostle Paul started out as a persecutor of Christians but when God turned his life around he became the leader of churches worldwide.
“ But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. 17 I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.” I Timothy1:16-17 CEV
We serve and follow the same eternal, invisible, Almighty God. He will direct our steps. When He asks we need to be ready to lead.
