The Need for Good Leadership

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
I Kings 22:1-53

"Then he (Micaiah the prophet) said to him (Ahad, king of Israel), 'I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd.  And the Lord said, These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.'"  I Kings 22:17 (NKJV)

Ahab went to the prophet seeking the word of the Lord concerning military actions he was about to undertake.  He wanted to know what the Lord had to say.  This is a very wise thing to do, but we should be prepared to hear from God, no matter what He should say.

Ahab was one of the worst leaders in the history of Israel.  It is no surprise that the prophet brought him a negative word from the Lord.  Here's what God said:

Israel was LEADERLESS.  They were scattered.  They were live sheep without a shepherd, scattered on the many hills of Israel.  This was hard to hear, but it was true.  There had been a failure of leadership in Israel.  Therefore, they were not ready to go to battle. 

We always want to hear positive, encouraging words from God.  But are we ready to hear correction or rebuke.  We are anxious to here Him say, "Go forward."  But are we willing to hear Him say, "Not now."

What happens when there is a failure of leadership.  Scripture says that each one returned to his own house in peace.  What this means is that when people do not rally around a cause, they slack off and go home.  They fall back into personal interests. 

May a powerful zealous people rise up in our day that will be united to serve the King!  May our hands be cast in decisive action to advance Christ's kingdom.  May our hearts be yielded to the leadership of the Holy Spirit! 

Israel failed in their day.  May we succeed in ours.