Pastor and author John Maxwell wrote, “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” In other words, if we don’t believe in the character, wisdom, and vision of a leader, we face the challenge of following someone we don’t trust or respect.
David’s soldiers believed in him. They had been in battle with him. They had sweat and bled with him. They had captured the City of David with him (1 Chronicles 11:5). They had seen that “the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him” (1 Chronicles 11:9). And “they decided to make David their king, just as the Lord had promised concerning Israel” (1 Chronicles 11:10).
David’s men had truly bought into him, and now David gave them a vision: Men, we’re going to bring back the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 13:3). The ark, forgotten under Saul’s erratic leadership, was catching dust in the home of a guy named Abinadab—8 miles away in Kiriath-jearim. David desperately wanted to bring back the holy chest, for it contained the mercy seat where God had met with His people. He loved God and desired to honor and follow His ways (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).
Speaking of following, David truly led well by doing the following things: He loved and sought the will of God (1 Chronicles 13:1); he established a clear vision (1 Chronicles 13:3); he consulted with his leaders and listened to them (1 Chronicles 13:1); he brought the vision before all the people (1 Chronicles 13:2). The result? “The people could see that it was the right thing to do” (1 Chronicles 13:4).
As you lead others, take a close look at the four steps of leadership David lived out. Other believers won’t buy into your vision until they buy into your love of God and dedication to Him. For He alone provides what we need to lead well.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 14:5-45
More:
Read Philippians 2:3 and consider what Paul identified as key leadership traits.
Next:
How have you been leading others recently—in your own strength or in the love and wisdom of God? Which of the four leadership steps David lived out do you need to grow in? How will you do that?
Gary Shultz on February 20, 2016 at 6:41 am
I have benefited and enjoy ODJ. I must confess I hold a little mystery session with each article. As I read down through the article I try to identify the writer. Each person has a beautiful way of uncovering their thoughts. To your credit you were discovered before I reached your name. A little off the beat, but well fruited by you. Thanks Tom, you’re in our prayers. Oh, I’m stealing some of the content too.
sdwise on February 20, 2016 at 7:00 am
Tom, I have been so blessed by ODJ and have used it for further personal study and life application. My primary desire in doing this is to be strengthened to apply God’s word to my walk with Him. While the last three things are reflective in the verses of 1 Chronicles 13:1-3 and the results in verse 4, verse one does not indicate that David sought and loved the will of God. Throughout scripture we can conclude that David did just that, but this verse does not say that. Nevertheless the four points the first be most important is a wonderful guide for us to follow. Just read 2 Timothy 3:16.
gagirllive on February 20, 2016 at 7:46 am
Christ – like leadership is a stark contradiction to worldly leadership. We can turn on our TV today and see that humble, servant – leadership is villified while arrogance and self-promotion are exhalted. But in God’s economy meekness is not weakness…it is power under the control of the Holy Spirit. To me, David modeled these leadership qualities well. Unlike Saul, he “inquired of the Lord” as his first response before doing anything. I pray that in my little sphere of influence, others will follow me only as I follow Christ and exemplify the characteristics of, not just a good leader, but a godly leader. Thanks for this today, Tom. You’re a blessing!
massageman90 on February 20, 2016 at 8:21 am
Thank you Tom as A business owner I do have dept heads . This is a great reminder ..
sandy229 on February 20, 2016 at 10:05 am
Thank you for today’s devotional Tom, God has truly blessed me through you! This has been really helpful to me. For me, leading only comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life because I would not be able to teach the Sunday school class otherwise. Service to the Lord is an honor God bestows on us, and not a favor we do for Him. To God be the Glory forever and ever.
clydeball on February 20, 2016 at 10:10 am
I really have benefited from these devotionals and look forward to reading them but I had some questions about this one. David’s desire to bring the ark back was certainly admirable but when one reads the rest of the chapter things don’t go well during the attempt; I was surprised this wasn’t mentioned in the devotional. An ox stumbles and Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark and dies on the spot. Turns out David had failed to handle the ark the way the Lord had instructed according to Numbers 4:1-20. His initial leadership failed to consider God’s instructions and graciously, a few months later, God blessed the repeat effort when David followed His instructions (1 Chronicles 15). Just because a leader comes up with a plan that sounds good doesn’t mean it’s in line with what God wants. We are all responsible to seek, discern and follow His ways whether leading or following.
gagirllive on February 20, 2016 at 10:20 am
Great point, Clydeball. I read the rest of the scripture text and thought the same thing. Although David’s heart was in the right place in wanting to bring back the Ark of the Covenant, he failed to do it the way God had specifically instructed. Very costly lesson learned…the vision needs to be executed the way God says! Thanks for making that observation.
sandy229 on February 20, 2016 at 10:44 am
Yes, this is true, we are all responsible to seek, discern and follow His ways. Sometimes we can be tempted to put our trust in the leaders other than God Himself.