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IMBIBE GODLY COUNSEL

 

Bible Times Magazine – Imbibe Godly Counsel
VOL. XXIV · ISSUE 7 ✦ INSPIRED · INSTRUCTED · TRANSFORMED ✦ SUNDAY EDITION
✦   The Word for the Faithful   ✦
Bible Times
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"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" — Psalm 119:105

✦   Featured Devotional   ✦

Imbibe Godly Counsel

Text: Exodus 18:13–27

✦   Key Verse   ✦

"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee."

— Exodus 18:21, 22

The most effective people in life are those who recognise that they cannot accomplish so much alone. They need the support and help of other people. They are humble enough to admit that they are not supermen, irrespective of how naturally and richly endowed they may be. Besides, knowing the limits we can go alone is often the hallmark of true leadership and the foundation for great achievements.

Moses was a great leader, on a great mission, which he pursued single-mindedly. For a while, everything worked well until his father-in-law, Jethro, came visiting. What he saw convinced him that Moses needed a change of strategy. Moses would hold court daily from morning till evening with the people queuing the whole time, to bring their case before him. Jethro emphatically told him he was tiptoeing into disaster; he would wear out himself fast, as the duty was too heavy for him alone. The people too, would be worn out and disenchanted with the administrative structure that was naturally grinding slowly.

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"Knowing the limits we can go alone is often the hallmark of true leadership and the foundation for great achievements."

Jethro said what Moses needed was to build a four-tier structure headed by "able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness." They would deal with small matters, while Moses would handle only big issues. This would create time for him to attend to other necessary matters. Recognising this as a divinely inspired counsel, Moses promptly set up the new functional system.

We must never get to the point where we begin to think that we are the only ones that can do necessary things, either in the kingdom of God or in our daily activities. We must humbly learn to delegate some duties to others. This will relieve us of stress, make us more effective and create a chance for others to grow. It will also make us more profitable to those around us.

⊕   Challenge

Do you love the truth and hate covetousness?

✦   Prayer

Almighty GOD, bless me with the ability to recognise godly counsel, in Jesus Name, Amen.

BIBLE TIMES MAGAZINE Joshua 1:8 · Be Strong and Courageous

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