Examine the words of Psalm 86, and you might forget that you are reading the musings of a good leader. King David prayed, “O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy” (v.1). Then the king of Israel refers to himself as a “servant” and pleads for mercy. Think of it! This was the man God had chosen to lead His people, pleading for God’s help. Wow!
As we think about the role of leaders—whether centuries ago or today—it’s vital that we review what leadership means. According to businessman and author Max De Pree, whose leadership moved his company near the top of the Fortune 500: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader.” Those two words, servant and debtor, describe David’s view of himself as he asked God for help during his time of leadership.
All of us who are in a leadership position—whether leading a family, a church, a classroom, or a business—need the humble words of Psalm 86 as our guide. The “poor and needy” (v.1) servant-leader who trusts God is the one who, in the end, can say as David did, “You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me” (v.17).
— Dave Branon
Controlling other people’s lives
Is not a godly leader’s trait;
But serving other people’s needs
Is what the Lord considers great. —Sper
The only leaders qualified to lead are those who have learned to serve.
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