Leaders of the Bible: David
Psalm 51, 1 Samuel 18:31-33, 2 Samuel 7:18-22, 1 Chronicles 14:11, Psalm 34:9
“A man after God’s own heart.”
This honorable statement describes none other than King David. David the man often remembered in one of two ways; the first being his courage, success, and faith, the second being his sins of adultery and murder. If these things are simultaneously true of David’s life, and if his courage, success, and faith are not the reason for the statement above, then why does God himself give him this title?
The answer: humility.
David is counted as a great leader, not in the way the world thinks about greatness. Not because of his commanding presence, power, or self-confidence. Instead, he is counted as great by God’s standards of greatness. And God says that a truly great leader is a humble leader. If we want to look more like a leader of godly greatness than worldly greatness, we must learn what it means to be humble in our leadership. If we look to scripture, here’s how we see humility defined through the life of David:
With each point, take some time to journal and pray about the questions below them.
1. David consistently expresses deep gratitude towards God because he realizes that he is utterly undeserving of the mercy that God has shown him (2 Samuel 7:18-22).
How often do you express gratitude towards God; daily, weekly, monthly, never? Take some time now to thank God; for the good and the difficult.
Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in the lives of those you lead recently? Take some time to thank God for his faithfulness.
2. David is unwilling to take credit for the victories that God has won (1 Chronicles 14:11).
Where have you taken credit for the victories in your leadership and discipleship that have only been won by God’s graciousness and influence? Take some time to repent to God. Plan some time to confess to your huddle (and those you lead).
3. David believes that God knows what’s best, supremely better than he does (Psalm 34:9).
Where have you been prideful lately in believing the lie that you know better than God (i.e. in the way you should use your time, in the way you should lead your disciples, etc.)? Take some time to repent.
4. David displays deep love and compassion for his enemies (2 Samuel 18:31-33).
Who is someone that you need to be obedient to forgive?
Who do you need to pray for, even though you may count them as your enemy?
5. Most important of all, David is a man of genuine and continual repentance (Psalm 51). David was unwilling to ignore or overlook his own sin, even if he consistently did so for others.
“David knew how to forgive, and he knew how to repent too. He never blamed pressure, or the demands of leadership. He did not use passive language, referring to his sin as a dysfunction or a growth edge. He did not lament over his sins simply because of the negative effects they could have over his kingdom and his relationships. He saw his transgressions primarily in their vertical dimension, as an offense against almighty God (Psalm 51:4)” (DeYoung).
What is a sin (whether it’s small or large in your mind) that you need to repent of?
Brainstorm ways you can exercise the habit of repentance in your life.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
|| Psalm 51:17 ||
