Demand

This word carries with it some level of authority or expectation for sure. It can be considered a “claim or a right”. It can also be connected the boss or the person in charge of people who work for him or her.  It seems to me that demands also are demeaning to the person receiving the demands. There are times that I think the person making the demands looks really small, because he or she hasn’t earned the right to make such demands.

I learned from a young age to NOT make demands of God. He is the Ultimate Authority. He can make demands of me, but I don’t make demands of Him.  I will confess that I have offered some rather urgent prayers to the Lord that have bordered on demand. I have sought the Lord in His Word and I feel like at times when I’m hurting deeply and come off as demanding, He has shown me great grace.

Moses was dealing with a lot of frustration among the people since the left the edge of the land promised to them because of fear. The people are unsettled after being called out by God because of their fear and lack of trust in Him to give them the land.  One of them insights a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron and it doesn’t turn out well for him. Check this out….

⁸ Then Moses spoke again to Korah: “Now listen, you Levites! ⁹ Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the Lord’s Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them? ¹⁰ Korah, he has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well? ¹¹ The Lord is the one you and your followers are really revolting against! For who is Aaron that you are complaining about him?” (Numbers 16:8-11 NLT)

A few verses down in this same chapter, the ground opened up and destroyed these rebellious leaders and all of them. The Lord will not allow such arrogance and disdain for His anointed leaders. He will also not tolerate this behavior from ordinary people.  When someone makes a demand, there is no humility involved. When someone makes a demand, there is often no respect either.

I think there is a kinder way to lead than making demands of others who I might be responsible for leading. I would rather have inspired followers than those who are simply following my demands or commands.

I think Korah should have led from the position He already held. He could have been a lot of help to Moses and Aaron, instead of a disruption to their God-give leadership roles.  I think a person who refuses to lead from where they are and earn their appointment may be significantly in effective when they become the leader. There is great value in the process of becoming. Skills can grow and character gets depth when the process is giving time to really shape a young leader.  I don’t see demand as an effective tool for the leader – it has a bit of a back lash to it.

Pressing On!

Dwayne