Leadership Goes Last

Baptist Daily Devotional
May 2
2 min read

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 2 2025 | Acts 8:1

KEY VERSE: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

It has been said that when a ship is in crisis, the passengers on board are ferried away, starting from the old and sickly, women and children, all civilians, then the rest of the crew. The last to get off the ship is the captain. Leadership demands that we take the blows and face up to danger. The Apostles in Jerusalem demonstrated a sterling example in the great persecution that broke out in the city on the day Stephen was killed for His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we lead others, we must understand that we are responsible for the comfort and safety of our followers, rather than being privileged to prioritise our own protection. When bad times come and opposition rises, the godly leader must stand tall and prioritise the safety and well-being of others in the group before attending to their own needs.

We are all leaders in different situations at different times, and we must commit to taking the leadership-related pains when the group, whether it be a family, a ministry, a community, or even a nation, comes under attack.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Reflect on the ways you are a leader. Determine to stay when others must leave. Ask God to help you.

PRAYER:

Lord, it is easy to sneak away when the team I lead is under pressure. Please help me see how, when, and where I am a leader. Lord, help me be like you and the early Apostles in providing leadership in times of crisis. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 122: Judges 7 — Gideon Defeats Midian

DAILY word study: EXCEPT This small word πλὴν (plēn) means “except” or “apart from.” In Acts 8:1, it draws attention to the apostles who stayed behind while others fled. It isolates their action, not by accident, but by choice. They remained when everyone else scattered.

This one word highlights a pattern: in biblical leadership, staying behind isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of responsibility. God marks the difference between reacting in fear and remaining in place to serve.

Reflection

This word quietly marks those who stayed. True leadership often speaks by standing still. God sees those who remain with purpose.