Title: The Qualities of a True Leader
Tails laughed loudly and said, "I've heard so much about it. Any dictator, any oppressor, is doing it their way under the pretext that they are doing it for their followers." Murray said, "If you say so, you play my part." The tail was delighted and this time took the lead. But soon fell into the sink. After all the hard work of his head, he was barely able to crawl out of the sink. Finally, after a little while, the tail went into the thorny undergrowth. However, the more he tried, the more his tail wrinkled in the thorns, and there was nothing he could do about it. He was barely rescued by the head and wounded and was able to emerge from the thorn bush. The tail took the lead again, so this time it went into the burning fire. My body started getting hotter. The desperate head desperately tried to rescue him, but it was too late. The body was burned and the head died along with it. When choosing a leader, always choose a head and not a person like this tail.
God, who leads history, uses human beings throughout the process. Among these, the responsibilities and roles of those who have been given a special mission to govern the country are truly great. This is because the rise or fall of the country entrusted to them depends on whether they stand upright or not, and the actions and misfortunes of the people are also determined by whether they do justice or injustice. Unfortunately, the text contains a serious prophecy that the entire people of Israel are on the verge of destruction due to foolish and evil leaders. In addition, God rebuked the rebellious leaders, and by chastising one of them, Plyidiah, the son of Benaiah, God showed how powerful the punishment will be on the unrighteous leaders. With this as an opportunity, we need to reconsider what the correct attitude leaders should have.
1. We must abandon pride.
Judges 9:8-15 tells the story of choosing a king from the land where the trees live. The trees went to the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine one after another to make him king, but they all politely declined, but the thorn tree responded with humility and even abusive language. Don't choose someone like the reigning thorns as your leader. We need to choose a leader who has the attitude to truly serve everyone, imitating the heart of Christ humbled and served.
A person who has been raised as a leader must cast away his proud heart and deeds. Most of the leaders who were proud before people and God did not enjoy their position and honor to the end, and even the society they ruled was in ruins. (Acts 12: 20- 23) Indeed, high status and power easily make leaders fall into pride. . They become arrogant because they do not realize that their high position and the authority to rule are from God, and furthermore, they do not hesitate to commit injustice by abusing the law and their power for honor or self-interest. Therefore, all leaders, regardless of their high or low status, should always remember that all authority does not come from God (Romans 13:1), so that they do not go against that will. Only a leader who humbles himself in God and faithfully obeys the task entrusted to him as God's representative will solidify his position.
2. We must rule on the basis of justice.
Leaders established by God have the duty to properly govern the people entrusted to them and to realize justice on behalf of God. Therefore, there can be no trickery, uncleanness, or self-interest in those who practice God's justice. So, how can we act righteously? When God, through Moses, taught things to consider when a king was to be appointed later, he copied the law and kept it by his side for the rest of his life and tried to read it. . Also, when we live a life based on God's justice in this way, the leader will strengthen the nation and comfort the people (Proverbs 29:4).
3. You must learn to fear God.
A leader who has to rule and lead many people must learn to fear God. In the text, see the leader of Israel being rebuked by God through Ezekiel. Didn't they trivialize God's voice warning them of their rebellion and pride, and ultimately lead the entire nation down the road? A leader who fears God and knows how to fear the judgment He will bring will never act proudly, believing in his or her position and power. This is because those who know how to fear God, who is the Judge, always keep in mind the moment when they will stand at the judgment seat someday, and strive for a just rule that is not ashamed of people and God. Brothers and sisters, no matter how small or large, are you not the leader of any group? You must not forget that God will surely reward you for all your deeds.
4. We must love our people and learn to make sacrifices.
An English Earl wanted to impose a heavy tax on his estate in Coventry. The countess's wife, who was deeply religious and compassionate, insisted on this. The Count then said in a semi-joking manner to his wife's persuasion. ?쏧f you ride naked and ride through the streets, I will exempt you from taxes.??To the count's words, the wife gave an unexpected answer. ?쏧f you keep your promise, I will.??The woman first told people about the situation and appealed to them for help. And as my husband said, I rode my horse and ran through the streets naked. The people were moved by the noble sacrifice of the Countess, and no one wanted to see her naked.
Who are the leaders we need in this day and age? These are people who love the people and bear the suffering of the people in their hearts and pray together. Jesus is the model for true leaders. ?쏪esus wept??(John 11:35)
Dear saints, Are the leaders of your society (group) truly qualified to lead you to a place of peace and blessing? Are they really God-fearing, striving for justice without pride? Do you have a spirit of sacrifice? If this is not the case, even now, the leaders of the society we proclaimed fear God and should make every effort to impart God's justice to this society. If we, who are saints, are also complaining without interceding for them, we will not be able to say anything when God will hold us accountable for our sins of not praying in the future. And it is absolutely necessary for us to become such a leader for the small group I am in charge of, and to choose and build righteous leaders who will realize God's righteous reign on this earth in the future.
* Prayer: Praise our Heavenly Father Almighty. We thank you for believing that you will save this land and this nation with that power. Please teach the rulers of this land and leaders of all walks of life how to fear God and practice God's justice and love. May the rulers end the feast of words and pray earnestly for the people with their mouths. Please wipe the tears from the people's eyes with your hands and let your feet diligently examine the lives of the people. Also, I pray that God's grace will come to the businessmen of this land. Grant this country an honest business climate, and help us to use our economic capabilities to the fullest in it. They want the profits they generate to go to the poor, not illegal money for politicians. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.