GODLY LEADERSHIP

 

What does it take to lead well? When you see a godly leader, it did not just happen. The Psalmist, Asaph, reminds us of this as he speaks of David, the greatest king in Israel’s history.

⁷⁰ He chose David his servant

and took him from the sheep pens;

⁷¹ he brought him from tending ewes

to be shepherd over his people Jacob—

over Israel, his inheritance.

⁷² He shepherded them with a pure heart

and guided them with his skillful hands.  (Ps 78:70–72)

CHOSEN

David was not king by his own doing. He was called out and chosen by God. God had looked for a “man after His own heart” and he found him in David. He was the lastborn and the least in his family, not even considered by his earthly father, Jesse, when Samuel came to choose a king among his sons.

But rank and size, popularity and position do not matter to God. The Father looks to find a man who will pursue Him. Who will listen to Him and obey Him. This is a leader who is “leadable.” Such a leader can be a conduit for the life of God to those he leads.

David never forgot that it was God’s choice that put him there, not his doing. This created the most foundational quality of a great leader: humility. A proud leader who thinks it is all of him and by him, is a disaster waiting to happen.

PURE HEART

Notice that God’s evaluation of David was the purity of his heart, even before his abilities. His heart was unalloyed with other things or motivations.

God took David through quite a seminary to get him there. Years with the sheep, then years when his heart was tested before a jealous Saul. In all of these days, God molded his heart to trust His great shepherd. Like a sheep, he knew he was capable of foolishly going his own way, and so his faith was consistently placed in the great Shepherd to lead him.

Never follow a man who is not willing to follow Christ. Authority with impurity is a deadly combination.

SKILLFUL HANDS

But leadership skill is also important. Again, David learned this in mountain solitude, leading sheep. He learned their ways, listened to His Master, and learned how to lead others. All of these days were preparation of his heart and his hands to lead God’s people.

A godly leader is a constant leadership learner, studying the ways of God and following the patterns He absorbs from the Greatest Leader. He learns how to receive direction by God-initiation, how to disciple others and how to build coalitions among other godly leaders. How to communicate in ways that do not frighten the flock, but to lead them well, and courageously. He is unafraid of taking bold steps when needed, but humble enough to rely upon the Lord for needed strength.

How blessed is the home, the church, the community that is shepherded by a godly leader who leads with a pure heart and skillful hands.