Needed: Leaders and Organizers

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 24

David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service... They divided them by lot... (1 Chronicles 24.3, 5)

Devotional Thought: A few weeks ago, I attended a Work and Witness meeting for the Southwestern Ohio District mission team.  We are going on a mission to Cherokee.  Matt, our district W&W Director, had organized the work into several categories.  At the meeting, he solicited leaders for our various tasks and assigned them responsibilities.  Matt knows what all leaders of volunteers soon learn: without direction, volunteers will not get much done.  My responsibility is to be over a few minor construction projects.  I need to get the work and workers organized if we are going to get  anything built or fixed in Cherokee!

Organization and leadership are needed in every area of life.  That's why we have coaches and captains, and teachers and principals, foremen and supervisors, traffic cops and crossing guards.  Without these, life would be chaotic!  People need leadership to get them organized and motivated.

Even spiritual work requires organization and leadership.  The priests of the Old Testament had very important spiritual duties to perform on behalf of the people of God.  Their responsibilities were too important to be left up to chance, so King David appointed them and organized them.  Then he divided them up by lot, directing them when and where to show up.

Some people are leery of organization and leadership in the church.  They say things like, "We need to follow the Spirit..."  But experience teaches us that without a plan, the work won't get done.  And even with a plan, the workers need direction so that they are not "bumping into each other."  The work of the church - the salvation of souls - is too important to leave up to chance.  Let's get behind our leaders and do our part to get the job done!

Prayer: In the Bible, Lord, we are reminded to support our leaders who speak to us the way of God.  Help us to "consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 45:8-17

8 your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;

9 daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father's house,

11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.

12 The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.

13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.

14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her.

15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.

16 In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth.

17 I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.