Devotion
Love in Loyalty
Chipo Biti
Elisha was loyal to Elijah until the very end. When it was time for Elijah to leave the earth, he tried to leave Elisha behind. Elisha refused to do so. The thought of letting Elijah go anywhere on his own was not something Elisha was going to allow. As Elijah's right-hand man, Elisha always took care of Elijah's needs and his wellbeing. He didn't see it a loathsome job but as a duty worth fulfilling. He did it with all his heart. Elisha was aware of the fact that he was going to be Elijah's successor but he never let that interfere with the work that he needed to do.
He served Elijah honorably, without resentment or reservations. Elisha was also aware that Elijah was about to leave. He could have chosen to leave Elijah behind and started with his own ministry. He could have left Elijah to go on the journey alone. But he chose to be honorable and be with Elijah until the very end. When they encountered different prophets, they tried to inform Elisha of Elijah's impending death, but Elisha was not deterred.
When we are working as assistants to other people, we should never see it as a lowly task. Pride is what will make us think that we are better than the position we find ourselves in. Pride is not a godly trait to maintain. It always causes strife and disrupts harmony. If you have to serve as an understudy to someone - be it in church, at school, or at work - see it as an opportunity to work honorably. Be loyal to the people that God has assigned as authorities in your life. Loyalty does not mean that you have to do every single thing they ask, though, especially if these requests are not godly. Being a loyal servant simply means that you work with an open heart, willing to be of help wherever you can.
Prayer
When the time comes for you to take over from your predecessor, be humble. Do not gloat about it - that is not honorable. Do not shirk your responsibilities, either. If the quality of your service is dependent on the position you receive, then that does not mean that you are serving honorably. You are only lying to yourself.
Let the love in your heart extend to the people that you are serving.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
