(Prov 28:16 GNB) A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.
This morning we continue our “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God” series. This verse flows in the same vein as the last. Yesterday Solomon told us that people are basically helpless against a wicked ruler. Here he tells us that the same ruler, lacking good sense and Godly understanding, will wind up being a cruel tyrant. However, a leader who is upright (hating dishonesty), will rule a long time, because he is doing the right thing – caring for his people.
As a leader you should not underestimate the impact – positive or negative – you can have on the precious people the Father has blessed you to lead. I am currently at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Yesterday I had the pleasure of listening to a leader who has spent about 9 years of his illustrious military career in combat. This General has led at every level and the passion he exuded when talking about command, leadership, trust, and Soldiers, was surpassed only by the overwhelming compassion that was evident when he talked about the approximately 500 Soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, dying for their country, under his command. I was moved as he was moved. This was not a cruel tyrant, by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a strong, courageous and caring leader.
Yesterday I also had the pleasure of sitting down for about half an hour with a leader who has served our nation for over 30 years and who will retire in just a few days. I worked for this man 10 years ago and while we have not talked much over the years, it was great to sit down, catch up, and swap stories about our lives and families. This is a senior leader, with a busy schedule, but when I let him know I was in town he made time to talk to me and it was not about work, it was about the relationship we had established when I worked for him a decade ago. As we exchanged there was no question in my mind that this great leader has a genuine concern for my family and me. While Solomon doesn’t outright say it, he implies that we should not be cruel and disconnected leaders, but rather leaders who care about those they are blessed to lead. I consider myself a young man, but in my short 39 years on the planet I have been exceedingly blessed to have had great interaction with extraordinary leaders and those leaders have left and indelible mark on me.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. Leadership is about people. No matter the type of business you are in, at the end of the day it comes down to people, trust, and relationships. Leaders who have no concern for the people they lead may have the position, but they will never have the true power of leadership. This power is released when the people you are leading know you have their best interest in mind. People will go the extra mile for you when they trust you as a leader.
2. God needs you. There is no question that Jesus is Lord, but we serve the Lordship of Jesus Christ by following the leadership of those He has blessed to be in positions of authority in the earth. If that’s you – if God has blessed you to be a leader – then you must take the right and responsibility to lead seriously. Just like a terrible leader can cause immeasurable pain and turmoil for those he leads, a Godly leader can mentor, develop, train, educate, instruct, and inspire his subordinates to do the seemingly impossible. The legacy left behind by Godly leaders cannot be calculated in dollars and sense, because it’s a legacy of people!
Closing Confession: Father, first of all I thank You for my leaders. I will continue to pray for them and intercede on their behalf. You have blessed them to be in positions of authority and You want to use them for Your glory. Likewise, You have also blessed me. As a Godly leader, I will lead with courage, care, and compassion. I seek to pour into others those things that have been poured into me. I make an investment in the world’s most precious resource… PEOPLE; and as I do I know I am leaving a legacy of righteousness. As I enter this day I remind myself that I do what I do for the people You have blessed me to oversee, develop, instruct, and inspire. Now matter how busy I get and no matter how engrossed I may find myself in my business, I will never forget that it is about the business of people. Use me Father to leave and indelible mark in the lives of those You have blessed me to lead. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
