It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so.
They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. – Daniel 6:1-4
INTRODUCTION
Nations, business organizations and churches rise and fall, with leaders as the main architects. The Holy Bible is not silent about types of leaders. The book of Proverbs 29:2 states that “When the righteous thrive, people rejoice; when the wicked rule, people groan.”
We have reached a stage in world history where the leadership qualities of some of the characters in the Bible should be revisited and meaningful lessons drawn for emulations and edification. Leaders control resources and therefore they can be a bane or blessing to their societies and the entire world depending on the character they exhibit.
Features of Godly Leaders
A. A good leader seeks God’s direction.
Godly leader must have a clear picture about where they are going. The destination picture has to inspire people to jump in and chase after the vision with them.
Jesus had His destination in mind. He told His disciples to believe in God and also in Him; that in His Father’s house are many mansions, and that He was going to prepare a place for the saved. Proverbs 16:3 says: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
And verse 9 concludes, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” A good leader seeks the Lord, commits his way to the Lord, and the Lord establishes the next steps. God has the blueprint plan of our lives, written in the palm of His hand. We have to pray to Him. Isaiah 49:16 – “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
B. A good leader seeks wisdom from God
All leaders must have God’s wisdom. Jesus Himself was filled with God’s wisdom and grace. “And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him.” – Luke 2:40. Wisdom is different from mere knowledge. The wise leader can see farther than others.
His spiritual discernment is what sets him apart as God’s leader. ‘The difference between a wise and foolish man is this: the former sees much, thinks much, and speaks little; but the latter speaks more than he either sees or thinks’ – William Scott Downey
C. A good leader is modest, not arrogant.
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished” – Proverbs 16:5. Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language and behaviour. If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we seek to “glorify God in body, and in spirit”
D. Godly leaders exhibit Integrity.
“Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness” – Proverbs 16:12. Personal integrity is demonstrated by who we are and what we do when no one is looking. Integrity connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason regardless of the circumstances.
“Integrity is all-encompassing. It’s not something you demonstrate at home or church and set on a shelf at work. People of integrity don’t live double lives; their morals, ethics, treatment of others and overall character are the same wherever they are, whatever they are doing.” – John Maxwell.
E. Godly leaders seek good advisers.
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” – Proverbs 11:14.Every effective leader needs advice and seeks advice. The ability to listen to the advice of others is the mark of a great leader. Proverbs 12:15 says,“
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel”.
The important point to remember is to stay open, listen to everyone but be selective in what you pick from them.
F. A good leader is a peacemaker
“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to eat peace with him,” – Proverbs 16:7.Yet, so many leaders aren’t interested in examining an opposing viewpoint or other ideas.
A working definition of a peacemaker is someone who is actively seeking to reconcile people to God and to one another. A godly leader does not take sides in a conflict; rather, he or she seeks to reconcile warring factions.
G. Godly leaders have compassion
“If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secured” – Proverbs 29:14. Jesus is the ultimate model of making time for the poor, the outcast, and children. He was naturally drawn to the weak people who needed an advocate. One of the hallmarks of a godly leader is to help the destitute and administer justice without a grain of partiality.
H. Godly leaders don’t seek for public approval
“fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” – Proverbs 29:25. The greatest freedom is having nothing to prove and no one to impress. Godly leaders are more concerned about pleasing God than their popularity with men.
I. Godly leaders submit to God
“A king’s heart is the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a water course wherever he pleases” – Proverbs 21:1. This is the most important characteristic of a good leader. When one is submissive to God and His Holy Spirit, God will direct the person into the ways He can glorify him the best.
Culled from the book “Called to Lead” by Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee & Asante Danquah
Remain Blessed!
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