1 Samuel Chapter 12 – Leadership Pain
Series: Never seen before in 2024 – I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and heart to the reality of leadership pain! I also want to say that everyone of you if your choose to lead will expereince leadership pain.
Now some of you just decided I am not a leader nor do I want to be a leader – because I don’t want the pain – or the lime light – or the heartache attached to it!
But listen carefully: Everyone of you leads another person at some time in your life – you all lead – so I believe we need to determine to be a better leader when those moment in time come!
Introduction:
Many crave leadership positions with a delusion of grandeur! If I am the leader this place would grow, propser, run more effiecently! If I was the leader this community would have its needs met.
Leadership has a counter reaction which comes with it – it’s called Leadership Pain – just ask any leader! The position of leadership always has the reality of leadership pain attached to it!
Pain will attack you from every angle you can imagine – leadership pain will come from people you invest in the most – people will betray you – and attack you character and leadership decisions. People will also stab you in the back. They will gossip about you and say how you failed to be a great leader! But pain – leadership pain will cause you to grow – spiritually and in your leadership position.
Leadership Pain “Quotes” – By Samuel Chand
“Growth equals change; change equals loss; loss equals pain; so inevitably, growth equals pain.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Pain is a part of progress. Anything that grows experiences some pain. If I avoid all pain, I’m avoiding growth.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Difficulties are God’s curriculum for those who want to excel.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Reluctance to face pain is your greatest limitation. There is no growth without change, no change without loss, and no loss without pain.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Change only happens when our level of desire (or actually desperation) rises above the level of our fears.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“You’ll grow only to the threshold of your pain.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Never trust a leader who doesn’t walk with a limp. —DR. J. ROBERT CLINTON”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Pain. If you’re not hurting, you’re not leading. Your vision for the future has to be big enough to propel you to face the heartaches and struggles you’ll find along the way.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“As we lead organizations—businesses, nonprofits, and churches—size doesn’t matter as much as another crucial factor. The biggest difference between leaders of large organizations and small organizations isn’t their location, the size of their building, the scope of the vision, the number of staff members, or their talent. In fact, some of the best leaders I’ve ever met have small organizations. But in all my consulting and conferences, I’ve seen a single factor: leaders of larger organizations have proven they can handle more pain.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
Summary of 1 Samuel and the books of the Judgers, Joshua, Ruth, and the Pentateuch:
The characters who have surfaced to the top so far in 1 Samuel are: Israel – The Nation - Samuel – Eli – his sons – Samuels sons, and Saul - Israel’s first king - their stories teach us the following:”
The messages which I have seen being communicated in the books we have covered in the Bible from the OT address Israel the Nation and also individuals – it is a warning message to both a nation and to individuals:
1. Listening to God = Blessing
2. Ignoring God = Deception
3. Rebellion against God = Judgment of God
I have not done much into explaining the mystery of the nation of Israel - we have looked at a lot of personal stories of God’s people - we know most of the OT follows the birth of this nation – the rise of this nation – it’s unusual connection to God – And even last week we see the nation moving from a theocracy to a monarchy – They now have their first King of Israel crowned and anointed “Saul.”
I want to take a moment and address the mystery of Israel and their connection to God the Father!
The mystery people of Israel have always been at the center of things in history – both ancient and modern-day. Cahn states, “No people have ever known so much rejection, antipathy, and hatred. Joined to one land as no other people have ever been so joined to a land (a small section of land) – and yet separated from their land and landless as no other people have been so separated from a land or landless. Dwelling apart and separate from the nations as no people have ever been so separate-and yet so intertwined with the nations and yet so critical (to the world). No people have ever been so connected to their times and their space, and yet no people have so transcended the parameters of time and space to become near timeless and universal. They have been the weakest of nations and yet the strongest- the most vulnerable of people and most often in danger of extermination-and yet the most enduring of people. No people, while on earth, have ever known the presence of God and glories of Heaven (Like Israel) – and yet no other people have ever so known the depths of hell. (The holocaust) They are an enigma, an anomaly, a paradox, a mystery people…What makes Israel unique among the nations, and the Jews, separate among the peoples? The answer is God! (The Dragon Prophecy page 15).
Think about that for a moment? What made Israel unique – different than other nations – Why were they chosen – God did the choosing – God’s presence showed up on their behalf – God’s protection came with His presence – God’s guidance and direction led a nation to a Promised land (which is still being protested)! The truth is the nation was chosen by God through Abraham because of his faith to believe in God and to trust God. This angered an opposing force!
The question must also be asked – Why do so many nations hate Israel – despise Israel – why do they seek to destroy Israel and the Jewish nation? The reason their connection to God. Israel is a vessel of God – a central conduit to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for the world. The revelation of God to the world would come through Israel and be birthed out of Israel – His name is Jesus!
Hence the mystery of why the world hates and fights against Israel is slightly revealed – It’s because there is a spiritual battle raging between an entity called Evil and God who is called Good!
The Jewish people according to Jonathan Cahn have been a head turning mystery to the world! But their mere existence is a major threat to “Evil.” So, Evil has consistently attacked it to eradicate it from the earth. The very existence of the Jewish people is a witness testifying to the existence of God.
Why have we seen throughout history an antisemitic attitude to Israel and the Jewish people? Because of their connection to God – because they were the chosen vessel to be the central conduit and instrument for the fulfillment of God’s plans and purpose for the world. Which is all connected to Jesus – Jesus was the means God chose to manifest himself to the world – if you have seen Jesus you seen the Father – with Jesus would come the unleashing of the presence and the power of God onto the whole world and onto individuals – The enemy of God – which is Evil fights against this truth to distort it and invert it so as to get back at God. The enemy of Israel is an enemy of Christianity, and he has been called the Prince of Darkness, Beelzebub, the Father of Lies, Lucifer, Lord of the flies, Satan and the Devil. So many names but the same spiritual entity at war with God and His people.
So, we find “Evil” at work in this world and in the ancient world to destroy the work of God. To seek to de-rail the plans and purposes of God for all nations and for all individuals. Thus, as we investigate the changing of a nation from a theocracy to monarchy, we see the battle raging for the testimony of God – for the presence of God – for the connection to God. The evil one will now go after the Kings of Israel to pervert the nation of Israel away from God and His ways! Some will start out strong and end up deceived and distorted by evil, but some will remain faithful to the Good and reject the Evil.
Samuel was one of those leaders for Israel! But we will soon discover Saul yielded to the influence of Evil and the Spirit of God which had come upon him as we explored last week would soon depart the new anointed king.
Samuel lived an honorable life as a leader being a Judge, A Priest and Prophet of God – He is known for the following:
His miraculous birth.
His dedication to the Temple and to God at a young age by his mother Hannah. Eli recognizes God’s call on Samuel.
His hearing the voice of God at 12 years old when his mentor did not.
His speaking the Word of the Lord to Eli at 12 declaring the judgment of God on Eli’s family and losing their designated role in the tabernacle.
He was the last judge of Israel.
He was the first prophet of Israel.
He replaced Eli as priest and the representative of God in the tabernacle.
He is known for starting the school of the prophets in his time.
He called Israel to forsake sin and return to God and they heeded his call to repent. He therefore led Israel in national repentance.
He led in battle against the Philistines and won.
He was a historian of Israel’s history.
He anointed the first two kings of Israel.
He dethroned the first king of Israel!
Thesis: Samuel lived an exemplary life for God and for Israel, but they rejected his leadership for a king and blamed it on his wayward sons! Samuel reveals his leadership pain in chapter 12 and reveals to them what God revealed to him that they are rejecting God not Him.
Samuel’s Farewell Speech 12
Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right.”
Samuel pours his pain out to Israel – you rejected my leadership – you do not want me leading you so who have I wronged – please speak up and I will make it right? The nation’s response:
4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”
5 Samuel said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.”
“He is witness,” they said.
Samuel struggling with the pain of rejection by Israel makes it clear he never did anything wrong to be rejected by them – recall God has already told Samuel – he is not the problem – the people are rejecting God not him – but he is still struggling with the pain of rejection which comes with the position of leadership.
“Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. —ORISON SWETT M”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“There is nothing in the world as wonderful as knowing that everything is right with you and the Father, knowing you are forgiven and clean. I don’t mean knowing that you’re going to heaven when you die. I mean knowing that everything in your past and present is in the open. You’ve brought everything into the light. You aren’t hiding anything from God or anyone else.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
Samuel needs fresh perspective about what is happening in Israel – they want a king – God tells him prior they have always wanted a King to be like the other nations! Samuel it’s not about you God said – it’s about the shortfall in their hearts to follow God. They have been like this since I delivered them out of Egypt!
Samuel eyes are being open in this painful moment! He is growing in his leadership – he is growing in God – if you’re a leader you will face this pain of betrayal and rejection – trust me I know – it will hurt – deep within your soul – but push through the pain to the call God has given you – Samuel thinks he is done but he is not done as we shall see over the rest of the book – He has more leading to do for the nation of Israel and for God.
“Without a fresh perspective about pain, a compelling vision, and a clear plan, every heartache has the potential to stop you in your tracks.”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“At some point, you’ll stop seeing pain as the enemy and make peace with it. Like Paul, you’ll see pain as a surprising source of strength. God’s power, Paul learned, “is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
“Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with. —THOMAS CARLYLE”
? Samuel Chand, Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth
Samuel takes the focus off his hurt and pain to reveal the truth of the wicked hearts of the people of Israel – He is now speaking for God!
6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers. 8 “After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the LORD for help, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your forefathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place. 9 “But they forgot the LORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ 11 Then the LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, so that you lived securely.
Samuel speaking for God presenting the faithfulness of God as their leader – Samuel can say this because he is in connection with God – he has a relationship with God – they communicate to each other – He reveals the problem with their choice for a King – it’s their lack of faith – having hearts toward God!
12 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.
Samuel calls them on the carpet and tells them – you keep not trusting God to deliver you – this is why you wanted a King – you thought a king could protect you from the Ammonites – not God – who is your king – you have such a lack of faith and trust in God! It’s not my leadership that is the problem it’s your lack of faith in God to protect you – you think a man can do this better than God can!
He gives a strong WARNING!
13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
Samuel makes it plain – if you and the King follow God great – He will protect you but if either of you reject God and His truth and refuse to follow His ways God will rise up against you and judge you for your sin of rejection!
Samuel – then decided to give them a sign that he is speaking for God and not for himself – Here is a sign from God! To open your yes that this message is from God!
16 “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king.” 18 Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the LORD and of Samuel.
The people stood in awe of God but did not repent for rejecting God’s leadership! God displayed his power and made it clear he will judge them if they walk away from Him. Can you imagine this scene?
19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”
Notice what the people of Israel said “Pray to your God – not their God – they still have a faith problem – they don’t want to die but they still don’t buy into God 100%!
20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.
Samuel reassures them that they are God’s chosen people so throwaway the useless idols!
Warning again to fear God! God will still use then to be the conduit to fulfill his plan and purpose for the world and for all the nations!
23 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. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”
Observation: The following taken from https://scripturalthinking.com/examples-of-honesty-in-the-bible/
1. Samuel’s Faithful Leadership is acknowledged at the end of his life by Israel and God.
a. He was and still is a remarkable leader – he speaks the truth of God’s Word – he warns the people - his faithfulness and integrity had a lasting impact. At the end of his national leadership role, Samuel gathers the Israelites and makes a powerful request – have I wronged you as your leader?
1. He asks them to bear witness and testify against him if he has wronged or taken advantage of anyone during his time as their leader. This is a leadership moment – could you imagine at the end of a presidency or a senator or congressman making a statement like this?
A. So how did the people respond? His request is met with resounding affirmation and serves as a testament to Samuel’s unwavering commitment to honesty and justice.
B. We too need to live and serve with honesty and integrity!
2. Samuel’s faithful leadership highlights the importance of integrity in guiding and inspiring others. Leaders who prioritize honesty not only gain the trust and respect of those they lead but also create an environment of transparency and accountability.
3. Samuel’s request for affirmation reflects the deep-rooted trust he cultivated among the Israelites, resulting in their unwavering support.
b. In a world often characterized by deception and corruption, Samuel’s example serves as a beacon of hope and a call for leaders to prioritize authenticity and honesty.
1. Whether in politics, business, or any other realm of leadership, the affirmation of honesty, like Samuel’s, can propel individuals and communities towards a brighter and more just future.
“Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” – Psalm 26:1
Conclusion: What do we learn from this message!
• Leadership comes with pain but lead anyway!
• Do not choose men to lead you but God to lead you! If you chose men over God then there will always be a price to pay!
• Be careful what you ask for! You may get it!
• Always be a leader led by God and filled with His Spirit – it’s the Spirit which empowers you to succeed not your own wisdom and strength!
• Always lead like Samuel with integrity and honesty! Do not allow yourself to become dishonest and corrupt!
• Stay connected to God – do not worship idols – stay committed to God’s truth!
Application on leadership from our Scripture section today:
Leadership Lessons from Samuel
Samuel’s faithful leadership offers valuable lessons for both current and aspiring leaders:
1. Lead by example:
a. Samuel’s personal commitment to honesty and justice set the standard for those entrusted to his leadership. By embodying the values, they seek to instill in others, leaders can inspire and motivate their followers.
2. Build trust:
a. Samuel’s request for affirmation demonstrates the trust he garnered through his consistent display of integrity. Leaders who prioritize open communication, transparency, and ethical decision-making create an environment of trust, fostering strong relationships and encouraging collaboration.
3. Take responsibility:
a. Samuel’s willingness to be held accountable for any wrongdoing is a testament to his humility and willingness to learn. Leaders who take responsibility for their actions and seek to rectify any mistakes gain the respect and admiration of their team members.
4. Nurture a sense of purpose:
a. Samuel’s servant leadership positioned the needs of the people above his own. Leaders who prioritize the mission and vision of their organization, and who actively work towards the betterment of their team members, cultivate a strong sense of purpose and commitment.
b. Make sure when you lead – because at some point you will – you lead like Samuel!
