Today’s Reading, Deuteronomy 17-20
Focal Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:20 “Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, he will not turn from this command to the right or the left, and he and his sons will continue reigning many years in Israel.”
The heart of a leader is more important than his leadership abilities. I have been around leaders who do not have it all together, at all times. They are not the most eloquent speakers. However, the one thing that is true about them, is that they have a heart for the Lord and for people. They never belittled or talked about others. When correction is needed they do it to build up, not tear down. A Godly heart is what allows these leaders to be relevant when things are going good and when things are falling apart.
In today’s reading we see directions given to Moses on how the King should be chosen and his expectations spiritually. The Lord expected the king to write the instructions on a scroll and read it every single day of his life. It was to be ingrained in him and never depart from him, because if he was out of fellowship with the Lord his heart would soon follow. God knew that always keeping the standard at the forefront, would keep the king humble. It would keep his heart soft and teachable. A godly king is one whose heart is sensitive to the Lord not leadership strategies.
The application today is very straightforward. The Lord cares more about our hearts as leaders than he does our style of leadership. If the heart is right, everything else will follow. If you are in leadership or show any desire to be in leadership, take care of your heart before you take on that role. Leadership exposes faults and it highlights problems. If you have a proud heart it will become conceited when you gain power. If you view people as pawns in a game it will be revealed when the leader does not get their way.
I challenge you today to be a leader who investigates their own heart. I also challenge church’s to not put people into positions of power and influence too quickly. Especially, when it comes to young men called into ministry. In our current culture we have too many young men who are copying characteristics that are not biblical. For example, rudeness in truth is not biblical. Using church members for personal gain or politics is a violation of scriptural expectations. Young leaders must go through a vetting process that is difficult and exposing.
The same must happen for current leaders. If the heart is not right it must be dealt with or they should be removed from leadership. The current stats are trending towards more women leaving the church because men are violating scriptural leadership expectations.
How do we fix this problem? We must first fix the hearts of people. That only happens when people are surrendered to the Lord. Leaders must be about the heart before they are about people. So how is your heart today? Do you focus on the statutes and expectations of the Lord? Or do you focus on worldly leadership principles?
Follow the scriptures and lead well from a tender heart.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Deuteronomy 21-23
