Leadership matters. It always has. Whether it is a country, company, family, school, or church; leadership matters. Yet often, we get leadership wrong.
One of the biggest mistakes the Israelites ever made, happened once they occupied the Promised Land. They were to be a people like no other. They were not to have a human king. Their leadership was to come from God. But there was a problem.
As the Israelites looked at other nations, they saw everyone else had a human king. And if it was good enough for everyone else, it was good enough for them.
Even after God warned the people how a human king would tax them heavily, conscript their sons for the army, their daughters to serve in the palace, and take whatever property he wanted; still the people demanded human leadership over God’s. They wanted a human king.
After the Israelites rejected God’s kingship, they got exactly what they asked for. That’s when the true problems began. Their human leadership let them down.
For followers of Jesus Christ, our ultimate leadership comes from God. This means there may be times when we must go against the latest societal fad, risk rejection and ridicule, or make decisions that others see as foolish and out of step with what is currently in vogue. That’s okay because we follow a different leader.
God as the true leader is exactly what David meant by writing: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23)
The only leadership that will never fail comes from God. So put God first. Let God direct your steps, thoughts, and words. It the best decision we can ever make.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, as I look at the crisis of leadership that seems to be everywhere, help me to make you my true leader. I offer myself to you without reservation or hesitation. Use me for your purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
The way to a blessed and holy life is to put God in charge. Anything else would be a mistake. That’s what the Israelites found out the hard way. I hope we do better.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 