1 Samuel 22:2
New International Version (NIV)

All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

For meditation

How did things get so bad in Israel under King Saul? An impressive man without equal among the Israelites (1 Sam. 9:2), a gallant soldier and warrior, the Israelites expected their nation to prosper under his leadership. Yet, Israel became a poorly managed nation.

Charisma alone does not make a good leader, but that is the type of leader Israel asked for when they rejected the rule of God (1 Sam. 8:19-20, 7). The result was a nation in which people were distressed, in debt, and discontented.

That is the situation of the world today. Corrupt leaders are destroying our nations, and could it be otherwise? The world has rejected the rule of God and gone after self-promoting leadership instead of servant leadership. The economies of our nations are distressed. Our political and social order is falling apart from the core. Despite the abundance of human and natural resources and increased technological advancement, people are distressed, in debt, and discontented.

The standard of leadership for God is servanthood. He looks for candidates after His own heart who will commit to His service in humility (1Sam.13:14). Outward appearances do not attract Him (16:7). That is why He chose David over Eliab to replace Saul (6). After his battle with Goliath, the nation felt a breeze of optimism in the leadership of David. All those who were in distress, in debt, and discontented in the nation went to him in the cave of Adullam for leadership (1Sam. 22:2). Keeping himself under the Lordship of God, He led Israel to be a powerful nation after Saul.

The epitome of unselfish and refreshing leadership is our Lord Jesus Christ, who modeled servant leadership for our example and edification.

Based on what the people saw, they wanted to make Him King (Jn. 6:15); and who wouldn’t. We too can lead like Him when we humbly allow the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and lead us (Acts 6:3).

You may be the type of leader our nations are looking for—a servant leader who will refresh our homes, offices, and churches.

So, may you empty yourself and lead as a servant leader like Him for His glory, amen.