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WHEN LEADERS SIN Thursday 20 January

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)

READ: 2 Samuel 24:1-12

One lesson from God’s dealings with Pharaoh and the Egyptians is the consequence of the disobedience of one man. Sin has widespread consequence. God told Pharaoh to release the children of Israel whom he had enslaved for 430 years but he refused. When the judgement on his defiance would come, it affected all of Egypt – men, beast, vegetation, even the sun. One man sinned but a whole nation suffered for it. That was in a nation that did not know God. What about in a godly nation? In 2 Samuel 24: 1-17, after David regained his throne and was established, he forgot that he got there by God’s power and so requested a census of his people. Joab saw his request as an act in self-will and reliance on the arm of flesh and warned him against that exercise. The king paid deaf ears to Joab’s plea for reason and took a census all the same. The following morning, the Lord sent Prophet Gad to ask him to choose one of three judgements. Thereafter, David realized his sin and asked for forgiveness. But do you know that at least 70,000 people died of pestilence, and more were to follow if not that God showed mercy? Many innocent Israelites died, even though the culprit—King David—was spared.

“And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house” (2 Sam. 24:17). When the head of a family sins, his whole family can be brought under judgement. When a pastor sins, the whole congregation can be judged. When a president sins, the whole nation can suffer for it. This is one reason we should always intercede for our leaders. When a leader sins, his cover over the flock is weakened or compromised. Are you a leader? Keep far away from sin, especially for the sake of those under you. Another lesson here is that even after confessing, the Judgement may still fall on you, like it happened to David; In other words, confession may secure forgiveness, but not a cancellation of the consequences. Total avoidance of sin is the best way of preventing judgement. As a leader, what are you bringing upon those you are leading?

KEY POINT:
The judgement many are facing today is as a result of errors of their leaders. Are you calling for more of such judgements by your actions?

Bible in One year: 1 Sam. 4-7

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