May 28th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Leadership Pains

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Opening Prayer

Lord, help me to pray for the leaders of our church and support them to do great things for Your Kingdom.

Read Acts 7:17-34

[17] “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. [18] Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’ [19] He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die. [20] “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. [21] When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. [22] Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. [23] “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. [24] He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. [25] Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. [26] The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’ [27] “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? [28] Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ [29] When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. [30] “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. [31] When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: [32] ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. [33] “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. [34] I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“We see God as the Great Attender, the One who pays attention and calls us to attention” (Leighton Ford).

Think Further

Moses was to be the leader of the Jewish nation despite resistance from his own people. The so-called defenders of his reputation conveniently forgot that he had to contend not only with Pharaoh and his army but also with the rejection of the very people he came to free. The role of savior is not an easy one, especially when your so-called allies line up with your adversaries.

From birth, Moses faced both danger and deliverance. A planned elimination of the people was thwarted, and Moses was given an upbringing that fitted him to exercise leadership. Despite the trappings of privilege, he identified with his people in their need. He was angry at the heavy burdens placed on them. Instead of supporting him, however, God’s people put their own spin on events, leaving Moses deserted! The rescuer has been rejected; people preferred the status quo of slavery to the radical call of freedom.

The second act begins at a burning bush with God’s call and commission to Moses. Despite his personal experience, Moses must put his feelings aside and respond to the needs of his people. He will be their savior, whether they want him or not. As we shall read tomorrow, Stephen stressed that once again the people of God backed the wrong side, and looked right through their savior as if expecting someone else. How easy it still is for the people of God to resent helpful leadership, and to attribute motives which may seem right, but are far from the truth. Sometimes we prefer to remain where we are. Our grumbles and groans become familiar friends. Staying put may seem safer than risking a way that could move us to a place both of blessing to ourselves and usefulness to others–but it is a sad option to choose.

Apply

Have you seen a “burning bush” recently? How can you improve your attentiveness, so you will hear God’s voice?

Closing prayer

Lord, sometimes I do not expect to hear from You and, so, I miss Your voice. Increase my anticipation as I wait before You today.

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