The Leadership of Kings

What does it take to be a Godly leader?

This question has been at the forefront of my mind the last few weeks and has been the intense focus of my quiet times with God recently. As I've mentioned before in previous posts, God has seemed to place a huge desire on my heart lately to learn about leadership. My heart simply craves the authentic manhood associated with Godly leadership. I want to be a Godly leader.

Seeking to learn more about what God really desires in leadership, I turned a few days ago to Chronicles and Kings in the Old Testament...the history books of the Kings of Judah and Israel. What better place to learn about leadership than from the nearly 40 men God had placed in leadership roles over His people? Call it a "Leadership Report Card" if you will, as each King's actions are recorded and judged as either Good or Evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Overwhelmingly, God has shown me time and time again as I've read that the Kings that are judged as being "Good" have one characteristic in common. They all genuinely humbled themselves before God. When they put God first, sought after Him with their whole heart, honored Him in their worship, and were obedient to the things He said to do, He blessed them and listened to the deep prayers of their heart. When they let the kingly power get to their heads, let their heart become calloused, and turned their back on the Lord to do things in their own power, they almost always failed.

Godly leadership stems from a humble heart that realizes it can't lead without God. It's that simple.

Look at Christ, the King of Kings. His life on earth is a picture of humbleness and obedience to God. (check out Philippians 2)

For the last week or so, I've tried keeping better tabs on my heart in regards to humbleness. I've been praying for God to really cultivate a heart of humbleness inside of me. So far, it's been a pretty amazing thing to really experience true humility with Him. I've had glimpses of it in the past, but now I want it to be consistent in my life, especially since I want to become a Godly leader in both marriage and ministry.

Slowly, I'm learning to apply what God has been teaching me in the situations He places before me each day. It's been stretching, yet amazingly rewarding. Please pray for me as God continues to shape my heart in this area!