“Therefore, it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us” (Acts 1:21-22)

Peter speaks to the value of long-term partnerships or friendships for leadership causes. While proposing a replacement for Judas, he said: “it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time.” How long did he envisage? From the beginning when Jesus was revealed at His baptism to the last moment when He ascended to heaven. Someone with a similar history, a friend who had stayed close. How do we regard or treat friends or partners that we’ve had long ago, who walked with us through thick and thin, who saw us fall or err yet rise again, who stood with us and helped us? This is a principle many successful leaders have embodied. Proverbs 18:24 says: “The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, but there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.” Such a friend had demonstrated loyalty.

Though Aaron was Moses’ brother, yet Moses and Joshua enjoyed such a loyal friendship and God would choose Joshua as his successor. God said: “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him” (Numbers 27:18). Caleb and Joshua also shared such a history. Even at an old age they would still agree on what was right to do. “Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance” (Joshua 14:13). Valuable!

#goodmorning

BeEncouraged❤ Freely Received. Freely Give