The Portion for the Lonely Leader

From the Devotion Book An Uncovered Life

Scripture Reading: Psalm 73:26

There is a reality that often befalls those whose greatest desire is to please God, whose fondest hope is to know Christ, and whose life call is to serve the people for whom Jesus died. That reality is many times characterized by the unfair criticism of others, the cynical questioning of personal motives, the surprising abandonment of those thought to be friends, and a profound loneliness that threatens to overwhelm the one striving to draw close to God. Sadly, after twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, I can attest to the fact that these realities are far too often the rule rather than the exception. If however, we explore the truth of Scripture, we will find that this has been the case for those who are in active pursuit of God since the dawning of time.

Abraham certainly understood this reality. Though wealthy and by many, well respected, he longed for an heir-a son that he could call his own and with whom he could share life. Decade after decade passed and still this great father of faith continued childless and his faith-filled longing for the companionship of a son remained unfulfilled. Likewise, consider the Levites, that special and uniquely equipped Hebrew tribe called to lead the chosen people of God into the divine presence through song, praise, and sacrificial worship. Yet the Levites were outsiders, owned no land of their own, and found themselves lacking fellowship
with other tribes of Israel. Their call was special, their responsibility great, but their sacrifice was significant. Or what about David? He was a daringly brave warrior, anointed king, passionate worshipper, and a man after God’s own heart. Yet one mis-step and David quickly found himself on the outside looking in, despised by his enemies, ostracized by his friends, betrayed by his family, and left to
experience perpetual loneliness. He was the fallen, forgotten, criticized, and ridiculed man of God who had unfortunately had his humanity exposed. Abraham, the Levites, and David had much in common. All were called to great and unique tasks, specially gifted, and deeply human. And, because of their call and often as a result of their exposed humanity, they were forgotten and left alone, misunderstood, wrongly criticized, and in most cases without one to whom they could turn. Many today, resonate with this description and feel the sting of such overwhelming loneliness. What Abraham, the Levites, and David all found however, was that while their human relationships often suffered as a result of their unique calls, a beautifully fulfilling intimacy with the God who had called them was available. When Abraham sought desperately for an heir to be his companion, God’s response was “I am your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:2). While the Levites had no land to call their own, God promised, “The Lord shall be your inheritance” (Deuteronomy 10:9). And David, though forgotten by his friends and family, lifted his voice in exuberant praise and exclaimed, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) Portion (cheleq) in the Hebrew, means “allotment, share, sufficiency.” Though David’s flesh would fail him and his friends forsake him, still the Lord was his portion, his “more than enough.”

The life of leadership may be heavy and lonely. It may grow even more wearisome when we expose our humanity and the grace with which we have handled others is not extended to us. Nevertheless, still He is our exceedingly great reward, our inheritance, our portion forever and with that assurance, we can rest, knowing that we are never alone.