But when they looked for [Saul], he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.” (1 Samuel 21b-22)
King Saul’s momentous coronation was fraught with problems from the get go. As the ceremony was about to begin, Saul wasn’t found wooing the crowds but hiding in the supply closet. Was it simply a case of cold feet, or was it an indication of his character?
Saul certainly was a God-fearing man at the onset of his leadership, which is why God chose him to lead in the first place. That being said, he also was a man lacking courage – one who was unable to overcome his fears. This incident recorded on his special day was merely a foreshadowing of what was to come.
Since Saul lacked courage, his leadership was marked by fear: fear that he would lose a battle, fear that David was more well-liked than he, fear that his legacy might be marred. Ironically, Saul’s capitulation to his fears led to them all coming true. He lost battles, David became more well-liked than he, and his legacy was marred. But what if Saul had led with courage?
The courageous leader isn’t concerned with winning battles; he’s concerned with standing up for what’s right. The courageous leader isn’t worried about anyone else being greater; she’s humbled that anyone would want to follow her in the first place. The courageous leader doesn’t care about a legacy; he realizes that his days are but a dot on the expansive timeline of life.
If you lead, do you lead with courage or in fear?
If you lead in fear, then you are likely to live a self-fulled prophecy. If you lead by courage, then you open the door for God to use you to accomplish amazing things for Him and His kingdom.
Father, I want to be a leader who courageously does whatever it is that You call me to do. Keep me from being debilitated by fear, and let me be governed solely by the fear of living in a way that is displeasing and dishonoring to You. Let me lead with courage, and in so doing, let me be a blessing to You and Your kingdom.
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