October 31—A Pearl for Today
“… For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Rom. 13:1).
“The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed” (1 Sam. 26:11 NASB).
PASTORAL CARE
We need more Christians today with hearts like David. He respected God’s anointed leader, Saul, even though Saul was not always worthy of David’s respect. David’s trust was in God, his obedience toward God. God’s command is to respect all authority because authority is from Him.
My heart is burdened for pastors. When we were involved in Christian camping, we would invite pastors and their families to come as campers and be our guests. If you have a vacation cabin, invite your pastor to use it as a retreat.
Let me encourage you to make the following covenant with God.
My heavenly Father, I enter this covenant, knowing You are a covenant-keeping God:
- I will never speak or write to my pastor personally attacking him.
- I will never bring up any problem to my pastor before the sermon on Sunday.
- I will never criticize my pastor to other members of the congregation.
- I will always treat my pastor with respect.
- I will faithfully pray for my pastor.
If you have been involved in causing a pastor to leave a church, please get on your knees and repent and make restitution to that pastor. This is serious business. Beware of people who gloat over causing a pastor to leave a church. Actually, stand clear of them! God tells us He has special vindication for His servants in Isaiah 54:17.
Reverend Chuck Smith, a pastor in California made this comment on the radio: “Never go to a church where they have run off a pastor.” I agree. In his excellent book FireStorm, Ron Susek writes, “God will not bless the church that tries to bring harvest out of poisoned ground.” If you attend a church that has run off a pastor, call for repentance as a church, and humbly make restitution. GOD WILL NOT BLESS UNTIL THIS IS FORGIVEN. “He who has an ear, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
A godly flock does not give the pastor flak.
