Don't Forget Your Help

2 Samuel 19:7

Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.

David had just won the battle against Absalom, but instead of honoring those who stood with him and fought for him, he turned the victory into mourning. We can certainly understand David’s broken heart for his son’s death, but he had troops who left their country and homes to fight for him in the wilderness. These people had left everything and risked their lives for David to stay alive and to stay on the throne as king.

Joab knew that if David did not speak comforting or challenging words to the people who stood with him that they would leave him by himself. Joab was telling David not to forget to honor those who stood with him. He was telling David that those who fought for him would stay with him if he spent time bragging on those who helped him achieve the great victory.

There is a great lesson for leaders in this story. No leader gains success by themselves, but they find success with a team of people who are willing to follow him for the cause they are pursuing. Beside every great leader are greater people who are willing to work in the shadows to achieve a great cause for Christ. These people are great people who deserve to be honored in front of all. Without these people, the leader would never attain the great achievements they have experienced.

I often talk about the “Miracle of Maranatha,” the miracle God has done and is doing in our church. Our church was an older dying church with good people who truly wanted God to do something. These people rallied with me for the cause of reaching the lost and reviving a church to become a thriving church in the Oklahoma City metro. Together we have achieved great things. We have seen a church that was running below 100 in attendance to a big day of over 1,000 in attendance in less than seven years. We have seen a church go from eleven Sunday school classes to thirty-four Sunday school classes and still growing. We have seen a church go from nine soul winners weekly to over one hundred soul winners spreading the Gospel weekly. I could never have done half of this by myself; I have only achieved this because of the great people I get to serve and work with.

Leaders, never forget your achievements were likely not done on your own. If your achievements were done alone, you probably have not done much. Beside you are people you ought to brag on publicly, for those people have left much to help you achieve the cause God has laid on your heart. Take regular times to brag on those who help you to advance the cause of Christ. A little public recognition will do more to encourage them to stay with you and encourages others to jump onto the team than railing on people will ever do.

Church member, you are critical to the work of the Lord. Whatever success your church has achieved could be much more if everyone, including you, will get involved. With everyone involved, there is less pressure on individuals, and more souls will be reached. You are very needed in this great work. I challenge you to get involved and help, for the cause we pursue is great, and your help is needed to advance the cause of your church in your city.