Long-range planning is an integral characteristic of effective leadership. Read Isaiah 37:21-26.

God is the ultimate long-range planner. He had a plan for the entire universe from before its beginning through the future beyond our ability to explain it. Isaiah communicates in chapter 37 that God also had a plan for the Assyrian Empire from its rise to power several thousand years before the birth of Christ to its fall to the Babylonian Empire. God’s plan included great military success for Sennacherib, king of Assyria and an embarrassing attempt to capture Jerusalem that ended in his withdrawal to handle an uprising at home without capturing the city.

Christian leaders will find prayer to be the single greatest way to manage stress. Read Isaiah 37:1 and 14-20.

The nation of Judah, the city of Jerusalem and King Hezekiah were in an untenable situation. The Assyrian army had captured most of Judah’s fortified cities and was now camped outside the walls of Jerusalem. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent a letter to Hezekiah demanding the surrender of Jerusalem. Surrender would mean minimal loss of life but sure deportation. Isaiah the prophet had given assurances that God would protect the city but based on all the facts that would demand complete trust in God’s deliverance. Hezekiah and the other leaders in Jerusalem were experiencing real stress.

Exceptional teams are made up of exceptional team members. Read Isaiah 33:15-16.

Most leaders look at the skills of individuals as they seek to put together an exceptional team. Wise leaders consider skills but only in the context of individuals with exceptional character. Teams are blessable when made up of blessable individuals. Twice in the Bible, Psalm 15 and Isaiah 33:15-16 God uses almost the same words to describe a person that will receive His favor. Teams made up of individuals who walk righteously, speak what is right, reject gain from extortion, don’t accept bribes, keep their word, and don’t seek to do evil will find God’s blessing.

Leader’s become more effective as they understand their personal and organizational purpose. Read Isaiah 33:1.

Isaiah lived during a time when Judah and Israel had walked away from God. The leaders had forgotten God’s purpose for giving them leadership and were intentionally leading out of self-interest which meant they had no loyalty to the nation or compassion for the people they were supposed to serve.

Wise Christian leaders make strategic alliances with great care. Read Isaiah 31:1-3.

The Lord spoke through Isaiah to condemn the leaders of Judah for seeking alliances with military partners for defense against the Assyrian Empire. Not just once but several times God warned the leaders in Judah not to make an alliance with Egypt. In spite of the warnings, the leaders in Judah chose the visible force who had chariots and trained warriors rather than the invisible time tested and proven, protection offered by God. God’s warning to the leaders was that, “…he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together” (v. 3).