Godly Leadership In the Waiting

By Romina Chevren

“After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’ So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, ‘This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, “I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.”’ Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.”—1 Samuel 24:1–7 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about what makes a godly leader? David is one of the many examples in the Bible of true leadership we can glean from. At this point in our daily reading, David’s been relentlessly hunted by Saul. He’s an upright and righteous young man, whom Saul hates simply due to his own insecurity and jealousy.

David and his 600 men are no doubt weary, hungry, and want this life on the run to be over and done. Think of the challenges they must have faced as foot soldiers for David: countless sleepless nights, stress and apprehension about battle, being away from their families, and the everyday comforts they were used to. So, when the men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish,’” it looks like a ”divine” opportunity, a “fulfillment of prophecy” to end their battle and place David on the throne. His army of men encourage him to take Saul out of the picture.

However, despite Saul's evil, David TRUSTED God would provide. He’s wise enough to know God was going to place the kingdom into the palm of his hand. He didn’t need to take it by force—knowing this was God’s battle and God’s timing. He waited on God’s perfect timing instead of being influenced by others.

Put yourself in that cave. Think about the pressure and influence of 600 voices all saying the same thing. Would you have resisted the voice of the majority and stood firm in your conviction, or would you have listened to them? Honestly, I might have listened to them. Godly leadership doesn’t rush. Despite their own desires, a godly leader waits for his commands from the One who sees all and knows all: God, the Commander and Chief!

As we know, this “divine” opportunity, where everything looks like it’s been laid before David, is a test of his heart. Was he going to do things God’s way or his own way? Often we’re faced with these tests in life. Do we wait on God’s timing, or do we rush ahead of God because it looks like everything we’ve been so impatiently waiting for has presented itself?

“Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.”

Godly leaders lead by example. The gravity of God’s heart for a matter was more important to David than the respect of his military and his desire to be done with his trial. David immediately owns his disobedience and strongly corrects his team. David’s heart towards the Lord was so pure . . . what a humble and beautiful witness to his men.

Humility is something that can melt the hearts of the most hardened of warriors. Leading his men with a humble heart, I’m sure not only inspired them to follow David’s direction, but to follow his faith. David’s example of godly leadership is one we can learn from. It’s rooted in patience, humility, faith, accountability, and trust in the One true Commander and Chief—God Almighty.

Pause: Do you consider yourself a godly leader? Are you unmoved by the voice of the majority, when the majority is not in alignment with Your will?

Practice: Is there something God’s asking you to stand firm and wait on Him for? Take some time this afternoon to journal what the Lord has shown you.

Pray: Dear Lord, I can see why David was a “man after Your own heart.” He was a man of great conviction and repentance. Lord, help me to be so strong in my faith so I’m unmoved by the voice of the majority, when the majority is not in alignment with Your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.