Error of a Leader
1 Samuel 27:2”David arose and crossed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.”
a) GUARD YOUR MIND
b) WRONG PLACE
c) DISOBEDIENCE
d) IRRESPONSIBILITY
e) MANIPULATION
f) CLOSE TO THE ENEMY
Look where David the anointed great warrior who killed Goliath of Gath that we read in 1 Samuel 17 go now!!! David went bowing for help to the very enemy that he triumphed, king of Gath, why did this happen? How did it happen? How come David forgot Goliath of Gath whom he killed so valiantly? How could David forget the God who gave Goliath’s head into his hands? Our head reels as we read chapter 27 to 30 where we don’t see GOD in the life of David upto Ziklag catastrophe. The man who played the flute and worshiped God day and night was now so terrified, petrified and horrified that he has forgotten to call upon his God who is very near him. Anybody listening to me??
a) GUARD YOUR MIND: Listen to me carefully, the enemy attacks your mind so violently that you take erroneous decisions in succession , which not only affects you but all the people connected with you, watch this now. David said: (verse 1) “There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand." Did you see that? We see no prayer here, no “O Lord, My Lord, Save me Lord, Hear me Lord, I trust you Lord….”, nothing of these words but David determined that he has no other way than to go to the enemy’s territory. How sad! Caveat! Remember to be close to the Word of God during times of adversity, poverty and difficulty – because He is your only SECURITY! Make note of that.
I write this article on April 6, 2020, during the Corona quarantine period, I actually advised everybody to read the Word day and night so much, that they exhaust themselves not from watching trash on the internet but by reading the Bible. In fact, I write this article tired myself after having spent several hours reading the Word and meditation, but my spirit is fresh and anointed though. I know scores of people would be benefited, comforted and charged through this writing.
Apostle Paul said: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Yes, more of Word guards your mind from negativity!
An African-American prophetess who lost everything and became homeless and lost everything on a single day said:” I was able to save my mind from going insane during that time of adversity and utter calamity in my life because I kept meditating on the Word of God all the time. Amen. Later after she recovered and God gave back all that she lost, she started doing research on the brain and also was able to prove that a person who meditates the Bible is able to save his mind and brain from crashing, she now also conducts master class on this. Glory to Jesus! How important it is to read the Word, that’s exactly why the Bible says: “Blessed is the man who meditates the Word day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)
b)WRONG PLACE: “You cannot make RIGHT decisions from a WRONG place! Are you listening? David was terrified that Saul would kill him, so he jumps over to the enemy territory and felt that Saul would not be able to find him in Gath. How unwise! After prolonged sufferings, betrayals, wandering, uncertainty, pain and losses, you tend to lose hope and the sheen begins to wear off from your life, that’s exactly what happened to David, is that how you feel now? Sit up for a powerful word! This is for some who have been rejected and cornered, who feel they are being treated insignificant and small. Don’t take it to heart, this is preparation ground to take you to higher levels, did you catch that? Ah! Not higher level but higher levels! There is no promotion without humiliation! Let this word today teach us to persevere during times of delay and extended period of sufferings, it is now that we got to stay with God and in His presence rather than go to the enemy territory, the lesson here is not to err like David. Stay with me…
c)DISOBEDIENCE: Once you transgress, disobey and go away from God then how do you expect protection??? I know of a good, Bible reading Christian girl who eloped from home to marry her boyfriend, but unfortunately he betrayed her in the last minute, so now she gets help from a married man with kids, who puts her in a hostel and takes care of her but with an ulterior motive to finally possess her. This silly girl gets involved with him and they start living together too, this man smartly managed both the women and took them to the church too. I am not kidding, this is true and the worst is yet to come, the pastor knows everything but still used this wicked man in his ministry. Well, I told the girl that she was in the wrong place and the wrath of God is upon her. Finally after great wrestling, beatings and fights she escaped from the enemy. Today if you are in the wrong place despite several warnings from God, please move immediately. Please note David was in the wrong place for one year 4 months! Alas, For all these 16 months, David had forgotten his God!
Deuteronomy 28:23“And the heavens over your head shall be bronze, and the earth under you shall be iron.” This is definitely not a message that many would savor and read; yet, I got to talk. Disobedience is no small thing! Recently when I was travelling in the car with my husband, due to a big bus that was ahead of us at the signals, we jumped the yellow lights by mistake but were stopped by the traffic cop. 1300/- fine; however, the traffic cop accepted our explanation and let us go. Are we fined/reprimanded/punished instantly this way when we overlook the commandments of God? Are you listening please? We miss church, our Bibles gather dust, prayer is forgotten, we lie, steal, submit false claims, lust, covet and live rebellious lives; yet we live without conviction of our atrocious behavior. Wake up! Repent!
1 Samuel 27:8”Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites.”
4)IRRESPONSIBILITY : Irresponsibility on the part of the leaders affects the safety of his followers and team! A leader has to be extremely cautious while taking decisions, it should not be emotion based or situation based but it should be thoroughly planned and only after final stamping from God should the Leader proceed.
We read in 1 Samuel 27:3: “And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each with his household..” Look at that! David had taken his men along with their families and children to the enemy’s camp. This was a brainless decision which eventually caused the great loss in Ziklag and also his own men turned against David ! Blind leaders do not go the right way, and this is precisely why you got to follow the right person!
Apostle Paul said: Ephesians 5:1” Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children..”
The disaster that caused 1,514 deaths on April 14-15, 1912, when the luxury ship Titanic struck the iceberg on its way from Southampton to New York, was because of the fact that the Titanic was sailing full speed despite concerns about icebergs, this was ship's captain, Edward J. Smith's biggest misstep. Here is the most important thing that caused the disaster: Iceberg warnings went unheeded: The Titanic received multiple warnings about icefields in the North Atlantic over the wireless, yet the captain did not take responsible action. Did you see that?
The prime responsibility of any leader, be it at home, church, office anywhere is to plan, pray, prepare and then proceed! Quote of E.M.Bound “ The men who have done the most for God in the world have been early on their knees.”
5)MANIPULATION
1 Samuel 27: 11”David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, "Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, 'So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.'"
A leader who uses deceptive and abusive tactics is an absolute abomination! This portion is hard to write because David by now has degraded so low that he killed the people of the land of Philistines, not leave any man or woman alive, would take the spoil away but lied to Achish, the king of Gath that he attacked a city of Judah very coolly. He killed all the men and women so that none carry the news to the king. How brutal can one get! The final two verses in chapter 27 reveal the utter downfall of David, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.'" You cannot do the right thing in the wrong place because the demons in that territory hold you slave. Having watched all this, king Achish was glad that he had made David his slave. This is the eventual plan of the enemy to get you bonded to him, did you see that? This does not happen on one day, but slowly you slip little by little into the enemy’s grip, Did not the Bible warns us in Galatians 5:9 “A little yeast leavens the whole lump?”
6)CLOSE TO THE ENEMY: When you are close to the enemy, certainly his characteristics rubs off on you. Read: Proverbs 4:
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.”
Boy, the above scriptures speak volumes of how we should conduct ourselves, is anybody listening to me? The day I got saved I had to take a major decision of the quality of people that I have to mingle with. During prayer God warned me from 2 Corinthians 6:
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.” God’s command was crystal clear, so I had to move away from wrong people during the days I worked with a multinational bank. Some of you are still hanging around with the wrong people, caveat!
I have always loved the scripture where Apostle Paul said Romans 6:17” But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Slaves of righteousness! This scripture revolutionized my life during the initial days of my salvation, I would say,” I no longer belong to myself, but I am a slave to righteousness and I will do only the right thing.” Amen.
I sign off by writing a line of caution for all Leaders, pastors, youth leaders, church workers, Evangelists and also secular leaders of any capacity that along with the position that we hold comes responsibility and accountability. Today we see people use to pulpit to talk from flesh, never, our walk, talk and work should align with the Word we preach from the pulpit. Rev. Franklin Graham said this about his Father Rev. Billy Graham at his funeral service: “My father was the same at home with us that the world sees him on the platform.” Amen.
