(Proverbs 25:13 NIV)
My pastor understood the calling and anointing on my life when I served as his armorbearer, and it was his desire to see that calling fulfilled. On the other hand, I understood my God-given duties to stand with him and help him fulfill the vision God had given both of us. I understood that I had to fully submit myself to him.
For the leader/armorbearer relationship to work as God intends, this type of trust must be developed. The armorbearer must be confident that it is God's will that he serve under this particular leader, and he must also trust the leader himself. On the other hand, the leader must trust that his armorbearer is looking out for his (the leader's) best interest. The leader must be able to trust that his armorbearer is not seeking to replace him or steal the sheep entrusted to the leader's care. This type of trust takes time to develop. Sadly, too often today the trust between leader and armorbearer has been violated. As a result, there can be no flow between them.
It is vital that the armorbearer guard against the temptation to believe he is called to replace the leader. In Numbers 13 and 14, we read about a biblical example of this. When the faithless, fearful children of Israel heard the bad report of the ten spies who had been sent to spy out the land of Canaan, they cried out, "Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt" (Num. 14: 4). As a result, they exasperated Moses, Aaron, and the faith-filled spies Joshua and Caleb.
In ministries today, many times the first choice of a new captain will be the associate minister. When a portion of the people begin to call out for you to become their new leader—beware. When they are ready to make you captain in place of the leader because you will lead them the way they want to go—look out! That is a deception and temptation from Satan. It is not the way to success and life. It is the way into sin and rebellion, and God is never in such a movement.
Renew your commitment today to be a faithful and trustworthy armorbearer. Let your words and actions increase your leader's level of trust and confidence. Then the flow between you will increase and the ministry will flourish.
- Have you faced the temptation to believe you are your leader's replacement? If so, do you see the trap of the enemy?
- Today, purposely say or do something that will reassure your leader of your commitment to support him.
- Meditate on these verses about trustworthiness:
"'Well done!' the king exclaimed. 'You are a trustworthy servant'" (Luke 19:17 NLT).
"I [Paul] am sending Timothy—to help you do this. For he is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord" (1 Cor. 4:17 NLT).
"How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve him" (1 Tim. 1:12 NLT).
"Urge slaves to obey their masters and to try their best to satisfy them. They must not talk back, nor steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy. In this way they will make people want to believe in our Savior and God" (Titus 2:9,10 TLB).
Heavenly Father, I am committed to being a trustworthy armorbearer to my leader. I refuse to give place to thoughts of replacing my leader or of starting my own ministry and taking sheep with me. If You do ever call me to a new assignment, I trust You to reveal it to both my leader and me. Should that be Your plan, thank You that it will be peaceable and a blessing to all concerned. Whether You've called me to this man for a lifetime or only a season, I will conduct myself as though this is my lifelong mission. Amen.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers