Word-Filled Wednesday ~#48~ Tried & Tested

PASSAGE: "When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel [defiled by golden calves], he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, 'Seize him!' But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according the sign given by the man of God by the Word of the LORD . . . Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priest for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high place. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth." ~I Kings 13:4-5, 33-34

"They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them let them serve . . . " ~I Tim. 3:10

"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." ~Titus 1:9 [all emphasis mine]

LESSON LEARNED: Our church just went through the annual process of praying about, choosing & then voting upon the next generation of elders and deacons. Much prayer ~ from the pastors, the nominating committee, the elders and deacons, the nominees and, hopefully, the entire congregation ~ goes into these appointments and confirmations. Why? Because we want what God wants . . . don't we?

Why would we want leaders who do not love the Lord or His Word or who do not have a heart for service in His name? We want and need those who lead us to be men of integrity, love and even bravery to lead us. But we, as a congregation, need to remember that they are simply mere men ~ sinners saved by grace ~ just like the rest of us. And that means that they need prayer. We must be those who hold their arms up as Moses' friends did (Ex. 17:10-13) so that spiritual battles may be won, right judgments may be made and so that the Word of God may be divided and preached correctly.

Our leaders need us as much as we need them. They have been and will be tried and tested, let's keep them lifted before the Lord.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><