Dr. Ryan here. Today we'll be looking at 1 Samuel chapter 6. Now this is a very interesting
chapter that tells us the story of the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel by the
Philistines who had suffered severe afflictions since capturing it. This should be a red flashing
light. Now the chapter provides key leadership lessons regarding the recognition and respect
for divine authority, not authority as divine, the importance of seeking wise counsel, not
stupid counsel, and the responsibility of stewardship. First let's look at the respect
for divine authority. So the Philistines after enduring plagues and suffering due to the
presence of the Ark realized the necessity of respecting divine authority, not all authority
as divine. They sought to return the Ark to Israel, that was a good move, understanding
their misfortune was tied to their mishandling of this sacred object. This teaches us the
importance of recognizing and respecting divine authority, like the Bible, like Jesus, like
your parents, like your wife, like the church. There aren't a thousand churches, there's
one church, the Church of Jesus, and if you follow them, you're in it. This gives us a
broader context to operate and ensure that our actions align with fundamental principles
and values. Respecting these things fosters a healthy and stable environment, avoiding
unnecessary conflicts and repercussions. The second thing I want to point out is the importance
of seeking wise counsel. The Philistine leaders consulted their priests and their diviners
on how to return the Ark. They were advised to send it back with the guilt offering to
acknowledge their transgressions. This was really smart. This highlights the value of
seeking the right type of advice. There's a thousand voices in the world. Jesus said,
my sheep know my voice. We want to seek godly counsel, God's wisdom, not the thousand voices
out there that are going to take us far away from God instead of as close to God as we
can be. Now consulting with trusted advisors can provide a new perspective and solutions
that may not be immediately apparent. Helping to navigate difficult circumstances more effectively.
We're all going to face choppy seas in life. How you navigate them is totally your call.
And lastly, the responsibility of stewardship. Now upon the Ark's return to Israel, the people
of Beth Shemesh mishandled it by looking inside. They weren't supposed to do that. This resulted
in a severe punishment. This shows us the importance of responsible stewardship of what
is being entrusted to you. Can God trust you with what he's given you? We are custodians
of the resources and the values and the traditions that God's given us. Mishandling or neglecting
these responsibilities can lead to adverse outcomes. Responsible stewardship involves
understanding the significance of what is being managed. Adhering to these guidelines
and acting with integrity. Leaders must ensure that their actions reflect a deep respect
for their responsibilities rooted in integrity. So how many more people have to have a breach
of integrity before we're going to understand the importance of it? It's the number one
goal for everything that we have in our life is to operate from a place of integrity. Same
thing in public, same thing in private, same thing in your personal life, same thing in
your public life. Having all of that aligned. Understanding these lessons is going to help
us navigate life more effectively. Being respectful, being successful. These are the things that
we're aiming for in a little bit at a time as we look into God's word we can find that
insight and find that wisdom. Now listen, thanks for listening or watching today. If
you enjoyed this would you please hit a like or subscribe, stay up to date with new content,
drop a comment below. All of your feedback helps us grow even if it's something I don't
want to hear. If it's difficult it'll help bring more valuable insights. Lastly, stay
stoked on Jesus and I'll see you next time.