RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

Many years ago, God spoke to my heart about leadership in His kingdom. I had learned leadership skills in school before I became a Christian. But I knew little of God’s principles of leadership. His ways are different from man’s, and I needed to learn from Him those eternal principles that would enable me to lead God’s people.
One great need of this generation is spiritual leadership. We have many strategists, a multitude of organizers, and scores of good managers. But the need of the hour is for deeply spiritual, Christlike leaders. There seems to be a leadership vacuum in the body of Christ when it comes to spiritual leadership. We must have men and women who know more than just organizational principles. We desperately need men and women who know how to walk with the Father, hear from the Holy Spirit, and live like Jesus.
Such leaders can be raised up only by God. I made a commitment to God several decades ago. I said, “God, if You want me to be a leader among your people, then You will have to raise me up into that place. I refuse to manipulate my way into a position of leadership. Therefore, I will trust in You.” Since then, it has been an exciting journey. I’ve learned firsthand that His ways are much better than our ways.
After Saul and Jonathan were killed, a leadership vacuum was left in Israel. It’s interesting to see how David responded. After their deaths, David mourned and fasted. He didn’t rush into Israel and attempt to establish his leadership. Instead, he waited on the Lord. The Bible says, “In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. ‘Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?’ he asked. The Lord said, ‘Go up.’ David asked, ‘Where shall I go?’ ‘To Hebron,’ the Lord answered” (2 Samuel 2:1).
The phrase “in the course of time” reveals the spirit of David. He didn’t rush out and attempt to do anything. He had been waiting for years for the rift with Saul to come to an end. Now Saul was dead. But David didn’t get in a hurry. He did two things. First, he allowed time to pass. Second, he inquired of the Lord. In essence, David waited on the Lord. Spiritual leaders learn to wait on God. They know when to act and when to wait. David knew it must be God who raised him into leadership, so he waited on God.
David went to Hebron as God instructed him. Saul’s extended family continued to fight against David, though the people of Judah followed David. The Bible says, “The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker” (2 Samuel 3:1). Over time, God raised up David as the spiritual leader of Israel.
The Bible says, “All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.”’ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:1-3).
David was made King by God, not man. And there came a time when men recognized that God had established him as their leader. That’s God’s way of raising up spiritual leaders. Wait on the Lord. He will raise you up in due time.