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.’

II Samuel 5:2

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?

Heavenly Father,

Your Son Jesus Christ humbled Himself and became obedient to death. He laid down His life for others in a way that is unimaginable for me. Help me to be a leader willing to serve others and not be self-serving. Help me to be like Jesus.

In Jesus’ name, Amen