The Opposite Of Hating

1 Chronicles 11:15-19 tells of a time during a very difficult war when the going was very tough. At such times, soldiers longingly remember the life they left behind, and David longingly remembered the sweet, cool water that came from a well at the gate of the occupied town of Bethlehem.

Very matter-of-factly, the passage describes a daring military operation, where three warriors ‘broke through’ the enemy ranks (note: they didn’t ‘steal through’) and broke back on the way back to bring the coveted water to David, their commander-in-chief. They risked their lives for him!

Now, the focus of this passage is not David’s honorable response, which was to refuse to drink water that could have cost his men their lives, but the action of the mighty men. It’s easy to know you should honor your God-given authorities. But honor is not just words; it’s positive action!

Today I want to share three important actions we can engage in to honor those who God has called to lead us.

1. PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS – 1 Tim.2:1-2 ‘I urge then, that requests, prayers and intercession & thanksgiving be made for everyone in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness’. Continued prayer is the greatest form of loyalty and support you can give to your leaders. In doing so you remember that they are human and no leader can make it on their own without God’s help and the good will of those that follow them.

When was the last time you prayed for our president/parliament? When was the last time you prayed for your boss/pastors? Don’t you realize that when they succeed, you succeed?

Often times, many leaders, including pastors, are often lonely and isolated. They are cheered or jeered according to their performance and are vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. Many pastors pray for and agonize before God for their people but who prays for and agonizes before God for them? It’s like the disciples, led and loved by Jesus for three years and yet could not even stay up one hour to pray with him before his death!’ Honor is not just words; it’s positive action!

2. AFFIRM YOUR LEADERS Last week we saw how Moses was dishonored by Aaron & Miriam even though he was the humblest person on earth. But he was in good company here. Jesus himself in Mk.6:1-6 was honored everywhere else but his own hometown! He could not even do miracles among them because of their unbelief! It is sad to see the greatest leader of all time reduced to having to prove himself to those who should’ve appreciated him the most.

Don’t leave it to the world to talk about your leaders! Don’t let them be appreciated whenever they travel but be unrecognized at home. Be known as a people that is proud of your leaders and expresses it! And speak well not just of your leaders (in their absence) but also to them. I’m sure if any of your pastors died, you would want to say great things about the impact they have had on your life. Why wait till the funeral? (Isn’t that what we did for Prof. Wangari Maathai?) Tell them now! I still keep cards/encouraging notes that people sent me a long time back. And don’t just do it once; tell them regularly! Honor is not just words; it’s positive action!

3. BLESS YOUR LEADERS Mat.10:41 ‘Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.’ There is a blessing promised for those who go an extra mile for those who are their spiritual authorities; a prophet’s reward that comes from joyfully blessing your leaders.

David’s mighty men were not sycophants but heroes in their own right. But they risked their own lives to bless their leader. Like David’s mighty men, I believe God is calling us to begin a lifestyle of blessing those who lead us. Gal.6:6 ‘Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor’ 1 Cor.9:1-2 ‘Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord… v.11 if we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?’ Strong words from Paul! Many receive great blessings each week but few return to bless the bless-er.

CHALLENGE: Let me end with a challenge: What if we could each commit to a 30 days #HatersNoMore challenge? Even though it doesn’t come naturally, plan to practice these actions of honor on those who lead you. Your boss, your national leaders, your pastor, your husband etc [Perhaps some of you need to commit to honor your parents by saying something to them or writing a letter; not even because of how they’ve treated you but because they are your parents and thus worthy of your honor; some of you need to bless them financially – maybe you’ve been supporting them out of obligation but this will be different…]

Would you commit to this? Please write your experiences as you do this on the blog!