Part of my current Masters degree in Strategic Leadership is a class I am in now called “Leadership Theology”. It is the study of God and in what ways His character informs our leadership. As I read the devotional this morning the following verse jumped out at me:
I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. (Psalms 119:15 NLT)
In studying and reflecting on God it enriches one’s leadership, not just in the church but in the world as well. Principles from His person can make anyone a better leader and a better person.
Leaders Cannot Show the Way Until They Know the Way
The longest psalm in the Bible is a song about the priority of the Word of God. For 176 verses, Psalm 119 holds high the words and wisdom of God and convinces us to treasure it more than anything else in life.
Why is this challenge so crucial for us? Leaders in our world face two realities:
1. Change happens faster than ever, so leaders must remain adaptable.
2. We need timeless values more than ever, so leaders must remain principle-driven.
Psalm 119 provides a roadmap for getting the wisdom, values, and principles we need to lead effectively. Consider what Psalm 119 teaches about adopting God’s Word as our source for leadership principles. Our leadership will…
– be blessed (vv. 1, 2)
– remain pure and ethical (vv. 9–11)
– be strengthened and revitalized (vv. 28, 149, 154–159)
– insightfully answer criticism (v. 42)
– enjoy liberty (v. 45)
– gain wise counsel when needed (v. 66)
– remain steady even when afflicted (vv. 67–72, 92)
– display more insight than our teachers (vv. 99, 100)
– be enlightened and intuitive (vv. 105, 130)
– have a reliable guide even for new issues (vv. 129, 160)
– enjoy inward peace and poise (v. 165)
– get divine help (vv. 173–175)
I would hope and pray that the principles spoken of which are good and ought to be happening in our lives, are always born out of abiding in His Presence. Many Christians today seem to focus on principles, values, wisdom, good Christian living, etc. but seem to overlook that it all comes from being in the Presence and that should be the main thing that all else is sourced from. Even Moses bringing in the law in the old covenant did so by being in His Presence and so should we in the new covenant since we have such access now because of what Jesus did for us. Roy Hicks Jr. always spoke of that in past years. Its all about ‘abiding’.