A simple definition of commitment is that a leader’s promises are maintained regardless of payback. Effective leaders understand they must make their commitments carefully. Read Psalm 145:1-21.

The message in Psalm 145 is that God deserves a leader’s complete commitment. David praises God for His goodness and His provision but he also makes it clear that leaders must walk in reckless abandon to God’s authority and principles. Since God is utterly faithful, limitless in power and glorious in majesty, He is worthy of a leader’s unconditional commitment.

“Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” Job 13:15a. There is no way of stopping a leader with this kind of commitment.

Job’s statement must have confounded his tormentor Satan. Though Job had no clue as to what God was doing, he still maintained his commitment and hope in Him. There is nothing that can stop this kind of leader. Not setbacks! Not pain! Not hardships! Not even death!

Have you ever thought about what separates the leaders who achieve victory from those who suffer defeat? What does it take to be a winner? Winning is an inside job. The leader that achieves is the one that first wins the internal battles. Re-read 2 Chronicles 34 and 35.

Josiah remained faithful to his covenant with God throughout his entire life. Some elements of leadership we can learn from Josiah:

Effective leaders find the proper balance between putting into practice the knowledge and skills God has already given them and dependence on God as the sovereign ruler of their life and leadership. Read 2 Chronicles 32:1-8.

Psalm 4:5 tells us we need to “Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.” Second Chronicles 31:21 says this about Hezekiah, “In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” Ever notice how much easier it is to trust God and depend on His deliverance during your time of need if you have your relationship with God in tact and flourishing?

Leaders can never call others to a greater level of commitment than they themselves possess. Read 2 Chronicles 29:4-11.

Hezekiah became king of an ungodly people based on the practices of his father Ahaz’s rule. He had even seen his brothers given as human sacrifice to his father’s superstitions and fears. He believed in the one true God of Israel and determined to lead the people back to faithful worship of this God. He determined to re-establish the temple as the center of worship and to bring back the keepers of the temple, those who could do the work required to keep the temple and rightfully offer sacrifices – the priests and Levites his father had banished from Jerusalem.