S)"20 You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him."
Numbers 27:20 (NASB)
O) There's a supernatural authority that God gives to His leaders. Whether that's a leader of a nation, or the leader of a church, or just the leader of a home, God blesses that leader so that people will follow them more readily than others. Now, sometimes good leadership (in this sense), is a byproduct of other gifts (wisdom, faith, etc.), but sometimes it's simply because of the position, and the fact that God has put that person there. The amazing thing is that we have a hand in the transference. That's a miracle in and of itself, to impart a spiritual gifting from ourselves to another person. It's also worth noting that god told him to put "some" of his authority on Joshua, not all.
A) Sometimes I see my kids go through phases where they are simply not responding to Kristin's authority in the correct manner. Kristin will do all of the same things I do, with the same temperment and tone, but the results are just strikingly disimilar. At some point, I began to make a point of praying for Kristin to carry the same level of authority over the kids that I have been given, intrinsically as their father. The results have been almost tangible! This is a reminder, though, that I cannot try to give away all of my authority to Kristin, forsaking my duty as a father. Kristin needs to be led and she needs me to lead the kids, too. I can't eschew responsibility, effectively trying to make Kristin a single mother while I am a ghost of a dad.
P) Father, thank You for making me the way You did. You've given me skills and talents that will make me an effective father to my kids and a leader in some other capacities as well. While I ask that You bless Kristin and her discipline of the kids, and soften the hearts of my children to her, I also pray that You strengthen my resolve. I never want to become lazy in my parenting or in my marriage. I know I have duties to uphold and if I don't keep my responsibilities, no one else can truly do it for me. I know that You have given me all of the tools I need, so discipline me also in the use of these tools. Holy Spirit, strengthen my resolve and help me persevere. If I become tired and tempted toward laziness, do whatever it takes to spur me into action. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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