David's Secret

"The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
'When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules in the fear of God,

he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.'"

2 Samuel 23:3-4 TNIV

Here David reveals his 'secret' to leading people in a way that pleases God: Lead in righteousness, and in the fear of God. It's very simple, but these two things should encompass all we do as leaders of God's people.

We should do what is right before God and before people. Not using people or the ministry to meet our own needs; living an upright moral life; being transparent and accountable; obeying God in every respect. And we should fear God - remembering that one day we will give an account to him for how we have acted as leaders, how we have treated those under our care.

What is the opposite of this verse? It would be to lead unrighteously, and to fear man rather than God.

The second one is the one that hit me. I must not live or lead in fear of people. What can man do to me? It is God's opinion of me that matters, not theirs. I am following his lead and his plan for my life, not theirs. People are important, but their opinion of me is not final. God has the final word on my life, and that means that I can take criticism, or even hurt, from others in my stride because above all, God loves me, and so long as I obey him in everything, I have his tick of approval on my leadership.

No footprints

"Your path led through the sea,
Your way through the mighty waters
Though your footprints were not seen".

(Psalm 77:13 TNIV)

The Israelites faced a mighty sea before them, but God made a path. They walked on dry land while mighty waters rose up beside them. Though they saw no footprints, the God who led them out of Egypt walked with them, leading them once again along his path through the sea, his power once again being displayed mightily in their lives.

Sometimes we can feel as if we are fighting alone. We look at the raging waters and doubt we will ever be strong enough to push through them. But God has made a way! We may not be able to see very far ahead but the path is there if we trust Him to lead us. I don't have to fight in my own strength; I just must stand strong and follow the Lord. And though at times I may not be able to see His footprints, He surrounds me and holds the waters back so that they will not crush me.

I will pass through.