Leader established by God
Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
(2Sam 5:12)
I am a leader appointed by God for God and for God’s people. On the day I was ordained deacon in the Anglican Church on 07th Dec 2008, the preacher spoke to the Congregation at All Saints Cathedral Kampala that God had offered us (priests) as gifts to the Church. But he was also quick to admonish us that the people to whom we were being sent are God’s people, God’s own flock. No matter which discipline, every leader needs to know this and keep it in mind. From the prefect at school, a family head, a head of department, the company director, to national leaders, this delegated authority needs to be clearly understood and exercised with due care. Queen Esther almost missed the point had Haman not counseled her; but David quickly got the point – that the Lord had established him as king… for the sake of his people Israel.
I recently explored the extensive messages of Prophet Moses and the Apostle Peter about our calling to be God’s Special Possession; Moses, received these instructions, to pass them to the entire assembly of God’s people: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’ This means to be a separate people from all others, abstaining from all the impurity and idolatry, and observing the guidance given by the Lord. Their being distinguished from all other people by peculiar laws and customs was intended to teach them a real separation from the world and the flesh, and an entire devotedness to God. Peter particularly draws from this call to holiness in the Old Testament and interprets it for Christians; he sternly points the believers in Christ to the holiness requirement, before defining their new status as the new Israel – the (new) chosen generation and royal priesthood (1Pet 1:15-16, 2:9).
Every leader is called to remember that God’s people are dearly loved; He calls the His Special Possession; He seeks the lost and encourages the weak; He strengthens the weary and comforts the desperate. Leadership is only a delegation of some of these actions to people who are made in the image of God. David constantly sought the guidance of the LORD because he knew He was the source of the authority, and the people under his leadership were the LORD’s. This is an example for us all to emulate as God bestows upon us responsibilities big or small. He is waiting for the day for us to present our accounts and He longs to hear good reports, which He will gladly reward.
God bless you all.