Do you evaluate your leadership against the standard God established? (126-1)

The Bible not only teaches leaders about God’s nature, leaders can also learn from the many examples of God’s leadership. Read Psalm 23.

When Saul, Israel’s first king, openly disobeyed God, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king for Israel. He directed Samuel to a farm owned by Jesse and told Samuel he would find the next king among Jesse’s sons. David was approximately 15 years old when Samuel anointed him to be the next king. When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s farm, David was staying in the fields virtually day and night working as a shepherd.

For most 21st century leaders the word shepherd relates more to a serine picture of green pastures with contented sheep laying down or grazing in small groups and a shepherd resting against a rock watching the gentle animals. That’s not the reality of the work done by a shepherd. Sheep don’t do well on their own and truly need to be led.

In my personal experience growing up on a farm, sheep aren’t really stupid but are more naive. When Psalm 23 has wording like “Your rod and your staff comfort me” it is saying “I function better with a leader’s correction and direction.” Sheep left on their own overgraze their pasture and run out of food so it is the shepherd that must lead them to new grass. They are virtually defenseless and won’t fight back when attacked by dogs, wolves or big cats so they need a defender. Because of the nature of wool on sheep they can be dragged into fast moving water and drown so they don’t like to drink from rushing streams; therefore, a good shepherd leads the sheep to drink in a still pool rather than a rushing creek or river. Sheep need constant oversight and leadership.

When David wrote Psalm 23 he wrote it with the understanding of a man who had worked as a shepherd. When David indicates in verse 1 that God is his shepherd he is describing God as a leader that confidently leads, renews and restores, guides and directs, corrects and comforts, and loves sacrificially. David is saying God’s leadership is complete and perfect in the good times and threatening times. Effective Christian leaders should evaluate their leadership against the standard God established.

Isaiah 33:6, “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.”