Doing nothing…
In 1 Samuel chapter 2 we read the story of Eli the priest and the young Samuel.
Samuel was God’s response to Eli’s sin. Eli was responsible for his sons and their rebellious ways. Even if they had refused to mend their ways, Eli could have removed them from their place in the service of God. Instead he merely asked ‘why’ – no rebuke, no discipline, no exercise of authority. Worst of all, in so doing he despised God. He stood accused of honouring his sons more than God, in stark contrast to Hannah who gave up her son to God.
God told Eli ‘I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in my heart and in my mind.’ – this one would have a ‘sure house’.
It is all too easy to lose the plot, to fix our eyes on the wrong goal, to forget that we are made and exist for God’s glory and to honour him with our lives. As leaders this is vital! Eli knew what was right but was afraid to do it. Fear is not a sin in itself, but to succomb to that fear rather than stand firm for the honour of God was wrong! Eli lost everything, but the little lad who bravely repeated everything God had told him went on in the strength of the Lord.