No leader can model faith in God until they have developed a consistent dependence on God. Read Psalm 147.

During the years between being anointed Israel’s future king and the time he actually started to rule in Israel, David was treated like a fugitive by the reigning king, Saul. It was during those difficult years that David learned dependence on God. David could model an emotional peace, even with informants directing Saul to his most remote hiding places, because he truly believed God had the power to sustain him. Listen to a few of the phrases David used to describe God’s reality and power:

Christian leaders have a place to turn for help in good and turbulent times. Read Psalm 146.

Every leader has role models that have shaped their leadership. These are individuals they look to on a regular basis for guidance and someone they can go to or call on when they are in a time of great success or when they get in over their head. These role models have a face and address. I have always considered these role models as gifts that God brought into my life.

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.

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being barely adequate and 10 being fully adequate, submitting to accountability will be a 1 unless the leader takes deliberate action to be accountable. Submitting to accountability has an element of reluctance; effective leaders pray for and seek accountability. Read Psalm 141:1-5.

King David passionately asked God to set a guard over his mouth (his words). He prayed that his heart (his mind, will and emotions) would not be drawn away from God’s standards toward evil. And David looked for righteous individuals that had the passion to slap him if need be to get his attention and hold him accountable to God’s standards.

Throughout history and in every culture wise leaders have universally recognized the virtue of justice and the treachery of injustice. Read Psalm 140:12-13.

Psalm 140 acknowledges that the character of God is the absolute standard for justice. A leader’s ability to have awareness of this moral standard is part of our having been created in the image of God.