February 19, 2026
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you
as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a
joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
We live in a world where many seem obsessed with making a name for themselves. There is a constant desire to become the next highly praised leader or the most influential person. It's an endless chase to become something great. Sadly, this mentality has found it's home in the hearts of many church leaders as even pastors have become preoccupied with their own prestige, honour and importance. However, we must remember that to be called a leader in God's kingdom is to surrender all other worldly notions of leadership. Jesus said, "my kingdom is not of this world"(John 18:36). Therefore, anyone who dares to lead in the name of Christ must submit themselves to this higher standard, the standard of heaven.
We often pray and hope this would be true of the leaders in our local church, that they would submit to this greater standard. Yet, as we have seen far too often, it hasn't always unfolded in this way which can be a stumbling block for us as church members. Nonetheless, we must always fight to have hope in God's church because it has never belonged to any faulty human being. The Bible declares that Christ Himself is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). Therefore, we can believe with all our hearts that He will supply the right leaders among us to shepherd us on our faith journey. This is the very situation that is highlighted in our passage today.
When the church leadership seems to be functioning according God's will and purposes, we as the congregation have a command from the Scriptures. We are to put our confidence in them and submit to their authority. In a sense, as long as your pastor is attempting to guide you into the pure ways of Christ, you are to yield yourself to their instruction. The Lord has called them to disciple, train and equip the church body so that they may be fully built up and mature (Ephesians 4:11-13). How can they prosper in this work if the body is unwilling to listen and abide? If the body becomes resistant and defiant, the work of Christ cannot move forward. Our leaders will be distracted, discouraged and likely stagnant in their ministry efforts. This is why we all have a holy responsibility before the Lord to submit to the shepherds He has placed over us. Not to blindly worship them but to encourage their hearts.
Today, rather than meditating on how you might critique or discourage your pastor, think upon what Hebrews advocates for. What can I do to make my pastor's work a joy? Am I doing anything that might be hindering their work or causing any unnecessary burden? Is there anything that I can share that might be beneficial or helpful to them? There is no good fruit to bear in a congregation that has no confidence in their leader. Neither can the work of God move forward in a church that is rebellious. Reflect on your role today. What can you do to support your pastor? More specifically, what can you do to support the work of Christ?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of our church leadership. Thank you for the calling that you have given to them. May you help me to be an encouragement to their hearts as they labour in love for the cause of Christ. Amen.