Dr. David H. Wick

M. Div., D.Min Senior Pastor Riverview Baptist Church
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Devotional Guide

Hindrances to Following

Mark 10:17 - 22

Monday January 23

Exodus 6:9; Acts 7:25 Numbers 21:4 - 5

There are many biblical examples of hindrances to following.  Following

is difficult for those in difficult circumstances.  This is exemplified by the Israelites in Egypt who, being enslaved, were broken in spirit and would not listen to Moses. Later, in the wilderness and without water, they grew impatient with Moses.  It was important for the people to listen to Moses and follow him, especially in difficult circumstances, because God had sent him to deliver them.  

Think About It:  Faith is required of followers who find themselves in difficult circumstances, so that they can look beyond the problems of the moment.  What helps to develop and encourage the capacity for faith in the face of great difficulties?

Prayer: For the faith to follow even in the face of difficulties.

 

Tuesday January 24

Zechariah 10:2; Matthew 23:2 - 3

Following is not only hindered, it is impossible when there is no leadership.  The leaderless wander aimlessly.  Following is hindered when leadership is defective.  Hypocritical leaders lose the respect and trust of their followers.  Nevertheless good followers will respect the authority inherent in the leadership position, even if the person holding the position is in some way defective.

Think About It:  Some people resent any authority and would therefore view being leaderless as freedom.  According to Zechariah, what is the state of the leaderless? What is my attitude towards positions of authority? Do I have (and have I demonstrated) the capacity to defer to the authority of a position even when I have my doubts about the person holding that position?  What does Jesus say I should do regarding the directions given by hypocritical leaders?

Prayer: For deliverance from the affliction of having no leadership; for the wisdom to defer to the authority of leadership.

 

Wednesday January 25

Judges 2:10; Ezekiel 12:2

Difficult circumstances and defective leadership are external hindrances to following. Most of the hindrances to following are within the follower. The Israelites of the second generation in the Promised Land ceased to follow the Lord because they were ignorant of what the Lord had done for their fathers.   Centuries later the Jews in the last days of the kingdom of Judah were rebellious and therefore blind and deaf to the Lord's warnings, so that they also failed to follow the Lord.

Think About It:  How did it happen that the second generation of Jews in the Promised Land did not know what the Lord had done for them? Am I bearing witness to what the Lord has done for me to the next generation?

What had to happen to the Jews of Ezekiel's day in order for their eyes and ears to be opened?  Am I a rebel?

Prayer: That I might be a faithful witness; that my spiritual eyes and ears might be open to the Lord's teaching and leading.

 

Thursday January 26

Jeremiah 42:11; Psalm 37:9; Luke 5:10 - 11

Fear is a great hindrance to following, whether the fear is of the leadership itself, or of where the leadership wants us to go. One great, consistent theme of Scripture is "Do not be afraid."

Think About It: Nebuchadnezzar was no friend of either the Jewish people or their beliefs -- yet God commanded the Jews not to fear him. Why did they need not fear? How does Psalm 37:9 relate to this reason for not being afraid?  Of what might the disciples have been afraid when Jesus called them?  Of what am I afraid?

Prayer: That I might follow fearlessly.

 

Friday January 27

Proverbs 3:7; 19:27; 25:6; Ecclesiastes 10:4

Pride hinders following. A follower may resist leadership because he thinks he knows better than the leader. If a follower feels he knows everything he needs to know, he closes his mind and soon begins to stray from the way.  A follower may attempt to boost himself in the belief that he is better than others, which only causes division and resentment.  A follower who is rebuked by a leader may have his pride injured and quit his position.

Think About It: Why is pride considered one of the "seven deadly sins?" Do I desire leadership roles in order to gratify my pride?  In what ways does pride prevent a person from being a good follower? from being a good leader?

Prayer: For the grace of humility.

 

Saturday Janaury 28

Jonah 1:2; Act 11:2 - 18; 15:19

Prejudice hinders following. Jonah had a deep ethnic hatred of the Ninevites (not without cause) and wanted God to destroy them. Therefore he resisted following the Lord's instruction to preach at Nineveh.  The Jews had a loathing of the Gentiles that must have been difficult to overcome, even in the church.  The Jewish Christians showed themselves good followers of the Lord by following the leadership of Peter, James, Paul, and Barnabas in receiving the Gentiles into the church on an equal footing.

Think About It: What are my prejudices? What would those who know me best say are my prejudices? Are there places I don't want to go and things I won't do and people I don't like because of my prejudices?  Are my prejudices getting in the way of my following the Lord? What do I need to about it?

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome prejudices and love like You do.

 

Sunday January 29

Judges 12:12; Ezekiel 20:18; Hosea 5:11; Mark 7:8; 10:17 - 22

Divided loyalty is a great hindrance to following.  In worldly things everyone has to deal with the issue of meeting the demands of multiple leaders and authorities, which can be done only with compromise and accommodation.  In the spiritual realm there is only one God, a rightfully jealous God, who demands from His followers their sole allegiance, worship, and obedience. 

Think About It: Based on the Scripture passages for today, what are some things that people follow rather than following the Lord? Am I following any of these things? Why is God "rightfully" jealous?   Am I giving Him my sole allegiance, worship, and obedience?

Prayer:  That I might follow Him, and Him alone.

Mark 10:21  "And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.'"

The rich young ruler would not leave what he held most dear in this world in order to have treasure in heaven, and to follow Jesus.  Have I left what I most held dear -- which in fact has a hold on me -- for the sake of following Jesus, for the sake of heaven? No looking back, no regrets.

 

Upcoming Sermon Topic

January 29, 2012

The Benefits of Being a Good Follower

Jeremiah 35:13 - 19

Submission to God-ordained authority involves some or all of the following benefits: God's blessing; the blessing of those in authority; deliverance; good organization; shepherd care; spiritual revival; accomplishment.



Riverview Baptist Church

14 Moreland Avenue East

West Saint Paul, MN 55118

651 457 3831