Lost Leaders

“Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.  But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we” (Numbers 13:30,31).  “But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation” (Psalm 13:5).  “As an earring of gold… so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear” (Proverbs 25:12).  “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). 

No wonder Caleb was so bold

To thus reprove the people’s fear: 

He trusted what he had been told

Which God, by Moses, had made clear. 

Though he and Joshua agreed,

They were outnumbered by the ten

Who were not competent to lead,  

Discouraging God’s people then. 

These leaders surely lost their way,

Since their conclusions were so wrong. 

They trusted not in God that day,

But feared those whom they thought were strong. 

The Lord held them responsible

As leaders then for what they said. 

Forgetting God was in control,

They trusted in themselves instead.

How many lessons were ignored

As they refused then to repent! 

Rebelling thus against the Lord,

Their ears were not obedient. 

If they had only changed their mind,

Repentance would have made them rich!

Alas, blind leaders of the blind

Were bound to fall into the ditch!

O Lord, you see this tragedy

In leaders who are far from You.  

Thus cloaked in their hypocrisy,

They say the things that are not true.  

Reprove us, Lord, and cleanse our hearts

From every sinful way You ponder.

By strength Your Spirit now imparts,

Constrain our hearts to no more wander. 

You see the leaders who are lost

Endangering the flock You own. 

We pray, Lord, that they’ll count the cost,

And if they won’t, You’ll make them known.