Pray the Word with David Platt is a resource from Radical.net. Judges chapter 18 versus 19 and 20.

And they said to him, keep quiet. Put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest.

Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?

And the priest's heart was glad.

He took the effid and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people.

What a humbling verse for all of us. And even as I think about the picture of

this priest, particularly for leaders in the church, leaders in any sphere, but particularly among

God's people. What happens when the priests or leaders among God's

people seek a larger following and the approval of people over faithfulness to God?

That's exactly what's happening here. This priest is glad that he can have a larger

following and he's willing to do whatever it takes to have that larger following, including

taking this effort and household gods and carved image and leading this people into idolatry.

Oh, the attraction of the crowds, the desire for the applause of others can lead.

Leaders among God's people can lead any one of us in any sphere of leadership and just in

our lives can lead us into all kinds of evil and unfaithfulness to God in order to get the acclaim

of others.

So judges 18, 19, through 20 just leads us all to pray.

God help us to live for your approval alone.

God, please help us all.

Each one of us, as we pray according to this picture in your word,

please help us to be faithful to you above all

to keep our eyes fixed on you and not to be wooed by the applause of others not to desire the approval

...