1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,360 Dr. Ryan here. 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:06,000 Now today we're gonna be looking at 1 Samuel chapter 7 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:08,160 for some lessons in leadership. 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:12,040 Now this particular chapter provides some rich insights 5 00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:15,920 into the leadership of Samuel and the spiritual renewal 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:17,420 that he helped to create. 7 00:00:17,420 --> 00:00:20,960 This chapter can be divided into a few distinct sections, 8 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,280 each offering some valuable insights for us 9 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:25,520 as we try to be better leaders. 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:27,800 So the first part is in verse one and two, 11 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,480 the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Kiriath-Jerem 12 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:33,760 and placed in the house of Abinadab. 13 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:36,000 It remained there for 20 years. 14 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:41,000 Now during this time, Israel lamented after the Lord. 15 00:00:42,340 --> 00:00:46,680 You see, the prolonged period in which the Ark stayed 16 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:51,680 in this location teaches us the importance of being patient. 17 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:57,780 Renewal and leadership transformation often require 18 00:00:57,780 --> 00:01:01,480 time and a period of introspection. 19 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,040 Samuel's patience allowed for a deeper yearning 20 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:08,880 among the people of God for God's guidance. 21 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:12,040 We need to take our time. 22 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,120 We need to have patience and preparation. 23 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:16,900 Now verses three through six, 24 00:01:16,900 --> 00:01:19,360 called Repentance and Reformation, 25 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,120 Samuel instructs the Israelites to return 26 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:23,620 to the Lord with all their heart, 27 00:01:23,620 --> 00:01:27,580 remove their foreign gods and direct their hearts 28 00:01:27,580 --> 00:01:28,420 to the Lord. 29 00:01:28,420 --> 00:01:31,400 Now the people obey and gather at Misphab 30 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:33,580 where Samuel prays for them 31 00:01:33,580 --> 00:01:38,080 and they confess their shortcomings, their sins. 32 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:42,720 This exemplifies the courage to challenge the status quo. 33 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:46,400 He calls the people to repent, to turn around 34 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:48,280 and to renew their commitment, 35 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,720 showing that effective leaders must sometimes make 36 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:55,380 difficult demands to inspire transformation 37 00:01:55,380 --> 00:01:58,640 by focusing on spiritual purity and commitment. 38 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:03,280 He aligns the community with its core values. 39 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:05,880 This shows us that we need to have the courage 40 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,000 to call for hard change. 41 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,360 Now look at verses seven through 14. 42 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:15,980 The Philistines attack as Israel gathers at Misphab. 43 00:02:15,980 --> 00:02:17,840 Samuel offers a burnt offering 44 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:20,920 and God intervenes with a thunderous sound, 45 00:02:20,920 --> 00:02:23,880 throwing the Philistines into total confusion. 46 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:27,280 Now the Israelites pursue and they defeat them, 47 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,040 regaining the lost territories. 48 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,440 This leadership demonstrates the importance 49 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:34,800 of seeking God's guidance. 50 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:39,120 His actions remind us that we're to turn to God 51 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:41,040 for wisdom and intervention, 52 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,840 especially in times of crisis. 53 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:47,840 Samuel's reliance on prayer and God's intervention 54 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,320 secured a decisive victory 55 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:54,520 and reinforced this spiritual foundation 56 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:56,800 of prayer and patience 57 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:01,040 and relying on divine guidance and prayer. 58 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,080 Now verses 15 through 17, 59 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,020 Samuel judges Israel with his life, 60 00:03:07,020 --> 00:03:10,640 traveling annually to Bethel, to Gilgal and Amisphah, 61 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:15,140 returning to Ramah where he builds an altar to the Lord. 62 00:03:15,140 --> 00:03:17,960 Now this reminds us to be consistent 63 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:21,160 and to have visible leadership. 64 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:23,420 Samuel's circuit shows the importance 65 00:03:23,420 --> 00:03:25,600 of consistent visible leadership, 66 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,320 not hiding by visiting the different areas 67 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,300 he ensured that justice was administered fairly 68 00:03:31,300 --> 00:03:33,600 and that he remained connected to his people. 69 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,440 His actions emphasize the value and accessibility 70 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:41,160 and presence that he had as a leader. 71 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,480 And this shows us that we have to be available 72 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:46,280 and be visible to our people. 73 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,040 This chapter offers us some lessons about patience, 74 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,440 preparation, courage to initiate change 75 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:53,840 and being a visible leader, 76 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,760 being available for people to get ahold of you 77 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,760 and be in your life. 78 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,200 This provides us an effective model 79 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:06,480 for good, godly leadership. 80 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:08,620 Thanks so much for joining me today. 81 00:04:08,620 --> 00:04:16,620 Until next time, I hope you have a beautiful day.