Learning to Lead by Serving

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Learning to Lead by Serving

Today's Text: Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 1 Kings 19:16

The Message:      We would do well to consider the case of Elisha when [he was] chosen for his work. Elisha was of a family who had kept the ancient true faith of Israel. He did not live in the thickly populated cities. His father was a tiller of the soil, a farmer. Even during the captivity there were souls who had not degenerated and gone into apostasy, and this family was included in the seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal.      Elijah was about to close his earthly labors. Another was to be chosen to carry forward the work to be done for that time. In his course of travel, Elijah was directed northward.... Now everything seems to be springing up as if to redeem the time of famine and dearth. The plenteous rains had done more for the earth than for the hearts of humanity; it was better prepared for labor than were the hearts of apostate Israel.      Wherever Elijah looked, the land he saw was owned by one man-a man who had not bowed the knee to Baal, whose heart had remained undivided in the service of God. The owner of this land was Shaphat. Busy activity was seen among the husbandry. While the flocks were enjoying the green pastures, the busy hands of his servants were sowing the seed for a harvest.      The attention of Elijah was attracted to Elisha, the son of Shaphat.... Far from city and court dissipation, Elisha had received his education. He had been trained in habits of simplicity, of obedience to his parents and to God.... But though of a meek and quiet spirit, Elisha had no changeable character. Integrity and fidelity and the love and fear of God were his. He had the characteristics of a ruler, but with it all was the meekness of one who would serve. His mind had been exercised to be faithful in the little things, to be faithful in whatever he should do, so that if God should call him to act more directly for Him, he would be prepared to hear His voice....      His surroundings at home were those of wealth, but he realized that in order to obtain an all-around education, he must be a constant worker in any line of work that needed to be done. He would not consent to be in any respect less informed than his father's servants. He would learn how to serve first, that he might know how to lead and instruct and command. While doing all that he possibly could do with his God-entrusted capabilities in cooperating with his father in the home firm, he was doing God service.-Letter 12, 1897.

Commentary: My friend, like Elisha we all must be ready to do the will of God, to stand firm for Him in the face of opposition and strife.  But we need not wait until that time to prepare.  We can prepare by doing that which God has called us to do in our every day lives.  Being faithful in little prepares us to be faithful in much. Many times we look to do a large work for God while we neglect the little that we can do right where we are at.  All of us have been called to be a witness of Christ within our daily lives.  The way that we approach the seemingly small things in our lives tells to how we will handle the larger responsibilities. Each of us has been given time, talents, and means that have been entrusted to us that we may use them for the benefit of others.  Those who neglect to improve upon what we have been given, will be held to account for the use of the Masters means. Elisha was a mighty man of God, not because of the important work that he did as a prophet of God, but that he was faithful to God in the smaller areas of his life as well.  Many of us do not realize how our unfaithfulness in the smaller areas of our life has a direct influence upon the whole of our lives. As the disciples were each striving to be the greatest in the kingdom of God, Jesus said to them "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4), and James 4:10 says "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." My friend, if we are to be saved we must learn to surrender our lives fully to Jesus so that whatever path He chooses for us, we will with meekness and humility, be faithful to Him.  Those who are fully surrendered to Christ will be faithful in little as in much. God bless,

Video of the Week Pagan Origins of the Trinity - Nader Mansour Who are the gods of Babylon? What does that have to do with us in the last days? This presentation deals with the origins of one of the most fatal deceptions prepared for the last days. It might very well challenge you, but you will enjoy it.