M&A #6

When Things Go Wrong (Part 2)

Last week we looked at a mentor/apprentice relationship that never seemed to gel properly.  There were instances where the two benefited each other, but the partnership ended mostly in disaster.  This week, we look at another mentor/apprentice relationship that experienced trouble.  However, it has a better end than the last:

David and Nathan had a trusting relationship. David trusted Nathan so much, he allowed for him to record his history (1 Chronicles 29:29). Nathan was also the prophet that David sought advice from whenever he had a major decision to make.  We see this first in 2 Samuel 7, when David desired to build a temple for God.

At first, Nathan agrees that David should go ahead and build the temple (2 Samuel 7:2-3). It sounded like an honorable thing to do.  After all, God had delivered Israel and David from the hands of their enemies (2 Samuel 7:1).  Shouldn't God get something in return for this?

Checked By The Spirit

However, Nathan is told by God to change David's mind (2 Samuel 7:4-16).  It took a lot of humility for both men to go back on their plan.  Remember, they would have been remembered as the two men who finally built God a house to dwell in on earth.  Yet, Nathan told David exactly what God said and David obeyed.  This shows the trust of David to listen to Nathan as his spiritual adviser and the willingness of Nathan to admit he wasn't always right.

Past Success Sets Up Future Deliverance

Going forward, this trust and reliance on each other would help stave off a potential disaster in Israel.  David had made a terrible mistake with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).  In the midst of this potential disaster, God sent David the one man he could trust (2 Samuel 12:1).  For anyone to call a king out on something took courage and boldness.  Even with Nathan's relationship with David, he could have easily been put to death for saying what God had given him to say (2 Samuel 12:7-12).  However, Nathan trusted God and the heart David had towards God.  David didn't let Nathan or God down.  He immediately turned towards God (2 Samuel 12:13).  Even though it cost David dearly, he was restored because he and Nathan both operated correctly in their position.

Stick To Your Role

As mentors, we can sometimes look on the successes and achievements of our apprentices and believe they don't need us anymore.  We can become intimidated because they have fare exceeded our own accomplishments.  However, we will always be their spiritual adviser and they will at times need someone to show them the right path.  We can't allow their success to supersede our calling as mentors in their lives.

As apprentices, we must persevere to maintain a humble and open heart to the ways of God and the words of our mentors.  We cannot allow past successes to dictate how we will operate going forward.  When instruction and correction comes, we must be open to it.  Even if the results our painful, they will far outweigh what will happen if we refuse.

Mentor

• Listen to the voice of God before okaying an action by your apprentice

• When an apprentice makes a mistake, call them on it but let it be with God leading you

• Help them to recover and continue on their way

• Don't let the apprentices success/failure prevent you from being their spiritual guide

Apprentice

• Even when you are successful, listen to the voice of your mentor

• When you've made a mistake, let them speak what God has to say into your life

• Do whatever is necessary to correct mistakes and move forward in God

• Obey and accept God's will in your life as your mentor guides you in your path.