Book of 1 Samuel chapter 30, verses three through six reads as follows:
“So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahin’o-am the Jez’reelitess, and Ab’igail the wife of Nabal the Car’melite. 6And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
Here is a situation where the leader (David) made a decision that greatly affected the lives of his followers. This effect caused his followers to turn against him. There are times in our lives when we must make decisions for which we stand alone. In other words, no one agrees with us. Another scenario is that our peers may agree with us, but when times are bad, they turn against us and/or distance themselves from us. Leadership is a position of which many risks are taken. When the leader is successful with choices that are made, everyone is behind them. When the opposite happens, many times the leader stands alone. God gave Joshua the following encouragement in the book of Joshua chapter one, verses six and seven: Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. God is looking for people that are willing to trust him and take a stand even though they may have to stand alone, knowing that God is with them. Please be encouraged that it takes courage and boldness to walk with God because of its lack of popularity. One true test of a Saint of God is their behavior when the chips are down. Will you stick with the Lord when the chips are down as well as when they are up? The Lord definitely knows.