“As for me, far be it from me that I should
sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.
And I will teach you the way that is good and right.”
I Samuel 12:23
The passage above is just a brief excerpt from Samuel’s farewell address to the people. It is one verse, with two sentences.
At first glance, those two sentences offer two true — but somewhat unrelated — ideas.
Does Samuel change topics mid-verse? Not at all.
When I reflect on this passage, some initial take-aways from I Samuel 12:23 include:
- Failure to pray is a sin
- A good leader must first be a praying leader
- Praying must precede teaching
- The content of a leader’s teaching must highlight what is good and right
Given these observations, we can then work in reverse to see the seamless truth Samuel conveyed to the people then — and, by extension, to us now.
If the end goal is to teach what is good and right, the only way to discern what qualifies is through wisdom from God Almighty. We cannot find good and right on our own; only God can reveal it to us! And, like all truth, you must know it before you can teach it. God often — and in fact, almost always — requires a leader to eat what he or she serves.
Leaders, make no mistake, include not just those who stand at a podium, but those who raise children, chair committees, lead a team, or are sought out for advice. Every one of us can lead someone and can influence the thoughts, actions, attitudes, and behaviors of others. Are we stewarding that influence well? Are we consciously wielding our influence with purposeful intention?
If we are to teach what is good and right, we must know it … to know it, we must receive it from God … to receive it from God, we must ask God. Asking God means praying to God. And if I am attempting to fulfill my call to invest in/love on/teach others without prayer, I am sinning!
Are you connecting the dots? Do you see the relationship between praying and teaching? Are you convicted? Are you challenged? Will you commit now to PRAY for those you are called to TEACH – whether formally or informally, whether with a microphone or with an example?
Samuel’s words to the nation of Israel were weighty then, and they are weighty now. May we hear … and may we heed.
It’s not too late to begin this month’s Write The Word, as we read, write, and dwell on Old Testament verses with the word, “good.” You can download the free November bookmark and S.O.A.P. Bible study pages HERE.
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You won’t want to miss this week’s teaching lecture from our study on Romans!
