Troublemakers Listen to Troublemakers

For Monday, June 13

Troublemakers Listen to Troublemakers

1 Kings 11-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5 (click to read)

(1 Kings 12) 14 He (Rehoboam) spoke bluntly and told them exactly what his own advisors had suggested: "My father made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!"
(Psalm 131) 1 I am not conceited, LORD, and I don't waste my time on impossible schemes. 2 But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied,
(Proverbs 17) 4 Troublemakers listen to troublemakers, and liars listen to liars. 5 By insulting the poor, you insult your Creator

Wow - have three passages in one reading ever lined up like this!!?? I was impacted by the lack of humility and real leadership in Rehoboam's response to his potential nation. And I love the so, so accurate representation of the young (arrogant) advisers - "You think my daddy was tough? Well, let me tell you..." I felt the need to reflect on being humble, wise, reflective, seeking great things at the right times and seeking good things at all times in leadership decisions. How true that "troublemakers listen to troublemakers" - wisdom and integrity don't have a chance with someone like that. So here's my lesson - DON"T be someone like that. Think through my responses. What values do I want to communicate? Who do I want to honor - Jesus or me? How will I lead and decide for both faithful discipleship and the Spirit led "shepherding" of the people in my influence? Wow - object lesson supreme!

Lord Jesus: Create in me every day a humble spirit, from Your Humble Spirit. Help me measure carefully what I say and how I react. Give me courage to address what is needed and grace in my addressing it. I seek to be Your humble, honest, consistent ambassador to every one I meet.

(You can download the Pathway 2011 Bible reading list here.)