2 Samuel 5:2 (NIV)
2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were
the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to
you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their
ruler.’”
David led the people in battle while Saul was king over
Israel. The Lord told David that he would shepherd the people of Israel and
become their king. David continued to fight with his army as their leader when
he became king. II Samuel 5 describes how David and his men captured the
“fortress of Zion,” the city of David, known as Jerusalem.
Courageous leaders are willing to fight alongside their soldiers. They are
willing to be on the front line of battle while fighting for their beliefs.
When David chose not to go with his army to war, he got into trouble. His
leadership suffered as he sought to cover up his affair with Bathsheba and made
plans to have her husband killed.
Leaders who are unwilling to be part of the
battle to which they are called can find themselves in compromising positions.
Temptation overtook David when he left his place of obedience. As leaders, we
must be willing to fight on the front lines until the battle is won!
Where has God called you to be a leader? Have you been
willing to lead others as a fellow worker, or have you been unwilling to get in
the middle of the work and the battles? As a leader, we must never set
ourselves above others. We are called to work humbly with others, setting an
example of servant leadership. David fought alongside those he led because he
did not consider himself more highly than others. Jesus is our prime example of
servant leadership: Who being in the nature of God did not consider equality with
God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature
of a servant… (Philippians 2:6-7)
Who are you leading? Are you willing to take front line
leadership and humbly serve others?
Thought for today: Do I lead by example