Monday, October 6, 2014

The Dew of Leadership



UV 1205/10,000 The Dew of Leadership

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Judges 6 v 40

Gideon wanted a sign of confirmation from God that He would save Israel from the powerful Midianites through his leadership. The first time he asked that the fleece of wool would be wet with dew and the ground all around dry. He could wring a bowlful of water when he squeezed the fleeze. He sought another sign- this time he asked that the fleece would be dry but on all the ground around there would be dew. After this double confirmation, Gideon had no more doubt that God would deliver the Midianites into his hands. He was so full of faith that he went against the Midianite army with just a force of 300 armed only with trumpets and earthen jars and a burning torch. Gideon remembered the testimony of his forefathers of how Jehovah had done mighty miracles that led to the deliverance of the Jewish nations from the bondage of Egypt. He knew that God was capable of delivering Israel as He had done before but he only wanted to confirm and be sure that he was the one chosen to lead, the one who is anointed by Almighty God with His power.

Similarly in our struggles and battles, we too can seek a sign of confirmation from the Lord. I once asked for a sign of His favour and He showed me several signs in the form of seven rainbows over several months. The Lord knows we are human, that we are weak in faith, that we can be filled with doubt and discouragement at times. He knows that we are often bewildered by the odds against us. He is willing to give us a sign. He is willing even to give another sign to confirm that the sign He gave is indeed from Him and not a mere fluke or accident.

Hezekiah was another king who sought a miraculous sign of God’s favour. He asked that the light on the sundial move forward and then he asked that it move back a few degrees. Both Gideon and Hezekiah did not ask for a sign from God in a casual manner but with great reverence. We must not ask for a sign in order to test God but only to find encouragement and strength. When the spirit of leaders around the world is dry, the Lord will send the dew of His grace, love, power and compassion upon His chosen vessels. He will give a bowlful to drink and to be strengthened in the spirit that we go forth and lead more and more people to victory and joy in life. As scripture says, “ The tender mercies of the Lord are fresh every morning”. He gives us a fresh anointing with the dew of His anointing every morning to face the challenges of the day and end it victoriously. The word “ dew” stands for a combination of determination, energy and wisdom. He will give us the determination, the energy or enthusiasm and the wisdom to be godly leaders in this generation, to wrest great victories for His glory.

Prateep V Philip

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