Looking for a Mighty Good Leader? Psalms 101-102; Hebrews 1

May the mumbling commence!

What is the proper deportment for leadership?  Check out what King David listed for those who would serve alongside him.  Read this passage from Psalm One-hundred One:

I will keep a protective eye on the godly,

so they may dwell with me in safety.

Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. 

I will not allow deceivers to serve me,

and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence. 

My daily task will be to ferret out criminals

and free the city of the Lord from their grip.  (Verses 6-8)

Leaders need to be above reproach.  They can neither deceive nor lie.  Why?  Because their purpose is to ferret out criminals so that the city may be free from their grip.

May we choose our leaders both in and outside the church well.  May we choose them better than we have!

May we also know the timeless nature of Christ.  According to the author of Hebrews (my favorite letter in the New Testament), Psalm One-hundred Two speaks about that (Verses 25-27 of the Psalm).  Read from the quote in Hebrews chapter one:

"Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundation of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

Even they will perish, but you remain forever.

They will wear out like old clothing. 

You will roll them up like an old coat.

They will fade away like old clothing.

But you are always the same;

you will never grow old." (Verses 10b-12)

Now compare it with the actual passage from Psalm 102:

In ages past you laid the foundation of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

Even they will perish, but you remain forever;

they will wear out like old clothing.

You will change them like a garment,

and they will fade away. 

But you are always the same;

your years never end. (Verses 25-27)

There are some minor differences.  The first one is really minor difference.  It could be simply a different translation.

The second and third differences are more in line with the general message give by the book of Hebrews.  They emphasize the old nature of the former way.  They emphasize this point to lead us into the new way of Christ, who indeed remains forever. 

The second change gives more detail to the change that God works on the old garment.  It’s rolled up.  Hmm…  Rolling something up doesn’t quite change it that much.  Here we find the emphasis on the continuity of the two ways… which are actually one – if we understand them rightly.

Let us choose Christ as our ultimate leader.

Enough mumbling for now…  

Peace Out