The Daily Word: Tuesday, June 1st, 2021
2 Samuel 18:1-19:10
John 20:1-31
Psalm 119:153-176
Proverbs 16:14-15
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. – 2 Sam. 19:3
David’s men won a great victory. They defeated the treasonous Absalom and restored David as king over Israel! But David mourned instead of celebrating. He mourned that his son Absalom – a traitor! – had been killed, instead of celebrating the victory won by the men who risked their lives to restore David as king! He was more upset for his personal loss, than he was happy for his nation’s victory. And this was a mistake.
Joab quickly cautioned David to change his tune:
“Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.” – 2 Sam. 19:7
And because David followed Joab’s advice, he kept his men and his throne.
Don’t mourn when it’s time to celebrate. If your team – at work, at home, or in church – achieves a major milestone or victory, take time to celebrate with them! You may not feel like celebrating because of what’s going on in your own life; but you have to celebrate for the good of the people around you.
Good leaders take time to celebrate victory when celebration is due. Because good leadership is not about you; it is about the people you lead.
Prayer:
Father, help me to know when to mourn, and when to celebrate. If I’m mourning when I should be celebrating, let me know! Correct me. Change my tune! Right my course. I want to celebrate so the people around me are motivated to keep pursuing Your will, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.