Lead Well

1 Peter 5.4 concludes the first theme of this passage, Lead Well. These first verses have focused on offering encouragement, instruction, and guidance to those in, or being led to, leadership.

Those who lead others can only lead well when they focus on God, and what He has called them to do. Leadership involves owning your failures, teaching from your experiences, and serving and protecting those entrusted to your care. A leader must voluntarily serve, realizing that it is a true blessing and honor to be called to lead, and a leader must lead so as to benefit others. As a leader leads, He must work for the best interest of his people, and set an example for them to follow. Leaders go first into battle, role up their sleeves and get to work before anyone else, and they eat last. Leaders are the first to rise, the first to act, and the last to leave. Ultimately, a leader is subject to God, and He will demand an account of all leaders. Those who lead well will be rewarded by God.

Leaders carry a heavy burden, one I've carried. Leadership is a lonely position, and one that faces constant criticism. Leadership is not easy, but it is also a divine calling, that brings the support of God. I'm reminded again of the life of Joshua. Before he ever crossed the Jordan, marched around Jericho, or led the conquest of the Promised Land, Joshua began a practice that would enable Him to lead well.

"Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent." (Exodus 33.11)

As Joshua served as Moses' aid, he learned from Moses. Moses would enter the tent of meeting to speak with God, and when Moses returned to camp, Joshua stayed behind. When Moses died, and it was time for Joshua to assume the mantel of leadership, I imagine their was some fear, hesitation, doubt, and anxiety, thus the message of Joshua 1.9, " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

God was with Joshua as He had been with Moses, because Joshua spent time alone with God. Joshua led well not because he interned under Moses, but because he trusted in, and followed God. Joshua led well because throughout his life he remained faithful to God. Joshua led well because God was with him. He served the people, provided for them, set an example for them to follow, and called them to be faithful to God, that is was a leader is to do.

1 Peter 5.1-4 challenges us to lead well.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!