Good News
Opening Prayer
Jesus, thank You for the example of those who lead well. Help me follow them as they follow You.
Read 1 CHRONICLES 11:1-9
[1] All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. [2] In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'” [3] When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the LORD had promised through Samuel. [4] David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there [5] said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion-which is the City of David. [6] David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander-in-chief.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command. [7] David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. [8] He built up the city around it, from the terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. [9] And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you seen truly godly examples? Are you following?After the darkness of yesterday the sun is shining as David is anointed king. Saul was violent, David is calm; Saul was impressive, David is inspiring. He is called to be a shepherd-king (2), to rule with grace and care. Raised above his people, he remains one with them, the same “flesh and blood” (1), and he has their confidence as they respond gladly to the covenant he proposes. David prefigures Jesus, “great David’s greater son,” who comes to his own people as the Good Shepherd, ready to lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). The leadership we exercise is to be marked with a similar care and sacrifice. How easy to be dismissive, unaware and casual towards those who look up to us. It is far harder to look and listen, to wait and encourage.Good attitudes lead to creative action. David now leads the people forward with resolution to take Jerusalem. “You won’t come in here,” say the Jebusites. “Watch this,” responds David, as the city is stormed and taken. The next step is to build a team. So to resolution we now add astuteness as David rewards Joab’s courage with a place in his cabinet. A picture of quality leadership is emerging, with lots more to come.
Apply
Who is looking to you? It could be within your family, your job, or simply those who know you are a Christian.
Closing prayer
Father, make me one who lives not for temporal pleasure or praise, but to lead others in the way of Christ.
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