Throughout many of the Psalms, David writes about his fearless trust in God.
Leaders need a relationship with God that exudes trust in Him to provide everything needed to fulfill His will. How does this develop?
In a word “seeking” Him.
Seek a dwelling in the house of the Lord every day.
Seek to behold the beauty of the Lord.
Seek to meditate in His temple.
If leaders seek these three areas, they develop a greater relationship with God and others.
David wrote, “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” This Psalm provides comfort, reassurance, and confidence.
The challenge is relying upon the promises and living by the hope provided.
We must learn to stop seeking, turning to, going for, or relying upon help based on our experience, education (formal and informal), or close friends.
These are good resources, but our first step should always be the Lord. Why? First, we have a personal relationship with our God. Second, He has authority over and controls all things in heaven and on earth.
He provides the help we need.
Strength applies to physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual areas of life.
Challenges occur when our strength declines, especially in the spiritual realm.
Perhaps we have seen or experienced personal struggles to remain spiritually strong and faithful.
During these times, Paul encourages Christians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God” (Ep. 6:10-11).
Each piece of armor reveals a close relationship to God’s word. Our strength comes from what God provides us through His word.
His word helps us find the strength to lead others to our Lord.
Righteous leaders flourish like a palm tree. Notice their characteristics.
Grow like a cedar in Lebanon, a dynamic characteristic.
Planted in the house of the Lord, a strong root system.
Flourish in the courts of our God, a healthy development.
Yield fruit in old age, the beauty of godly leadership.
Full of sap and green, reflecting youthful strength and vigor.
Declare that the Lord is upright, which draws out purpose.
A righteous leader experiences these benefits and they bring others into the greatness of God. Let us lead with the righteous spirit of godliness.
Where do followers go when they meet with difficult challenges?
Where would leaders have them go when needs outweigh the balances of monetary ability?
Spiritual leaders will always face questions from those who follow.
Jesus once asked the apostles if they were going to walk away, to which Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).
When followers turn to leaders, will they receive words of eternal life? Will they learn how to get through life and gain eternity?
Where else can they go if not to spiritual leaders who desire to guide them to know God and a home in heaven?
David wrote, “The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” And Paul asked, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
When we understand this truth it changes the direction of our leadership.
Leaders need the type of confidence that is built upon a relationship with God. David and Paul understood there was no need to fear anyone or anything.
Leaders should always know and be aware of their greatest Ally––God.
When this relationship exists there is no need to fear, because God is with us and He is for us.
Ambition involves a desire to achieve something, usually requiring determination and hard work.
The difficulty arises when we consider where our ambition lies.
Are we ambitious to achieve financial security?
Is our ambition driven by power and authority?
Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities?
Or, can we say our ambition is motivated by a spiritual focus?
When our leadership is driven by the kind of ambition that seeks to please the Lord, the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.
Children tend to ask the most difficult question…why? They want to know the reason behind what we say and do.
Jesus asked several questions beginning with why.
Why are you worried?
Why are you afraid?
Why are you testing Me?
Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
We also need to think about it in relationship to leading.
Why are leaders needed?
Why should we lead?
Why are we making this decision?
Why are we making it at this time?
Why?
We could resolve many issues simply by answering the question…why?
A blueprint provides exact details for any structure. The greater the detail, the better the opportunity it will last. However, this only happens when the blueprint is followed. Deviating from the blueprint increases the chances for disaster.
Good leaders are good followers. Jesus exemplified this principle, as did the apostles and early Christians.
If we are unable to follow the blueprint, can leadership achieve success?
When someone decides they know a better way than following the plan of our Lord, problems are on the horizon.
The better we follow the blueprint our Lord has provided, the greater our success as leaders in the kingdom.
The Greek word translated “devoted” carries the idea of “insisting on staying close to someone or something.”
What does that mean for spiritual leaders? It means they will…
…insist on staying close to people. A leader’s devotion to people means they learn their needs and assist them, especially to heaven.
…insist on staying close to the plan. The plan is the map. Leaders must not deviate from the plan, or the goal is unreachable.
…insist on staying close to the Lord. Leaders know the true source of their strength is not in themselves, but the Lord.
A leader’s devotion provides a foundation to great achievement.