The Importance of God-Appointed Leadership

 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” – Proverbs 29:18

Bad leadership is one of the devil’s most destructive assaults against the collective destiny of any group of people. When leadership is appointed by the devil, it can exchange long-term futures for short-term gains. This is what happened with Esau. He was the leader of his family, yet he made a disastrous decision by selling his birthright for a single meal. The Bible calls Esau a “profane person” (Hebrews 12:16) because he did not recognize the value of the glorious heritage that was reserved for his family by birthright. By giving it away so cheaply, he removed his family from God’s first choice and future blessing.

God, however, appoints leaders who are willing to sacrifice their personal desires to ensure that a future is created and preserved for His people. Leaders are called to plan, manage resources, and lay down their lives for the good of others. Fathers must plan and manage resources effectively for the future of their children. Pastors must lay down their lives for the flock, feeding them with truth and vision. Political leaders must use their resources to create opportunities for society’s growth and success.

It’s important to stop expecting perfection from your God-appointed leaders. We are all called to excellence in our walk with God, but not perfection. Perfection, in its truest sense, means that no further room for improvement exists, and only God can be perfect in that way. Excellence, on the other hand, calls us to continuously grow and improve. If you are a leader or preparing for leadership, you must commit to continuous self-improvement. You must have self-governance and mastery over your own life before you can lead others effectively.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the leadership you have appointed in my life and in the world around me. I pray for your guidance and wisdom to follow those you’ve chosen. help me to honor my leaders and not expect perfection, but to recognize the call to excellence in their lives. For those in leadership, I ask that you give them wisdom to guide and protect the people they lead. May I also commit myself to continuous growth, self-government, and excellence in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.