Let's Go To The Circus: The Ringmaster

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Psalm 147:5

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages…” The booming voice of the ringmaster could be heard from the center ring. He stood in his bright red topcoat and tails with gold trim. A tall top hat finished off his costume. My childhood memory of this leader is of a tall, dignified gentleman. 

The ringmaster is the stage manager of the performances and guides the audience through the entertainment experience. His voice cuts through the clutter and excitement to announce the acts.  He is the leader of the circus.

As the circus has a leader, so do we. Our leader is God. “`I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17). He is the one who leads us in battle just as He led people in the Bible. Time and time again God led the Israelites into battle. He appointed leaders, but the victory was His. 

 Moses knew to follow God’s lead as He saved the Hebrew children. God told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country” (Exodus 6:1). You’ll find the rest of this fascinating story in Exodus 6 – 14. God, Himself, was Commander and Chief of The Exodus. 

Sometimes we are unaware of God’s leadership in troubled times. Elisha’s servant discovered this at Dothan.  The Aramenian army had the city surrounded with horses and chariots. The servant was so afraid. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?”

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered.” Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:15,16).

At Elisha’s request the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. He saw the army of God complete with horses and chariots of fire.  He no longer feared. Although the servant was not aware, God was with them. This is one of my favorite Old Testament stories. Read about the event in 2 Kings 6:8-23.

Joshua, chapter 6 is the story of the fall of Jericho. The Israelites had finally come to the end of their journey. God had delivered them from bondage.  They had crossed the Jordan River and were in the Promised Land. They came to the city of Jericho and found it tightly shut up. God spoke to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men” (Joshua 6:2). The end result was “the walls came tumbling down.” Jericho was theirs.

As you read the story of Moses, Elisha’s servant, and the fall of Jericho remember that the real hero of these three battles was God. His servants obeyed Him and relinquished the leadership to Him.

That is what we need to do. How great is our God! He is our Ringmaster. Back off and see what great miracles He will do in your life.

Father, Thank you for the marvelous examples of your leadership in the Bible. 

Janice Yandell