Servant Leadership

 Every group of people needs a leader if they are going to be effective at accomplishing the purpose of their group. This goes for countries, states, cities, churches, and other groups. There are all kinds of leaders. Some are dictators, just giving orders. Others are elected by the members of the group to do their will. However, the best kind of leader is a servant leader.

David was an example of a servant leader. He wasn't perfect by any means, but he was able to lead Israel to accomplish a lot. (II Samuel 3:18) Abner told the people of Israel to go ahead and make David their king, because God had said that He would save His people from the hand of the Philistines and all their enemies by the hand of His servant David. Let's see what we can learn from this verse.

The best leaders are the ones who are gifted by God with the spiritual gift of leadership, and they are using that gift to serve the Lord, not just serving the people. Real wisdom comes from the Lord, so the servant leader goes to the Lord to seek His wisdom and to know His will. Then, he knows how to lead the people forward in God's will. At the same time, a servant leader cares for the people and leads them in an understanding way, not trying to hurt people. 

When there is a good servant leader, God uses him to overcome all of the enemies and obstacles in front of the group, so they can accomplish God's will for them. That is the reason God ordains leaders and gives them spiritual gifts. God doesn't want the leader to be exalted and get the glory for all that is done. He wants the people to give Him the glory, because they see how God provided their leader and empowered their leader to be effective.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 4-6.