
⭐ PROMOTION: Leadership Isn’t Everything⭐
Psalm 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
We can learn from David that you don’t grow or move forward because your leaders are perfect- you grow and move forward when your heart is right.
➡️ DAVID HAD THE WORST LEADER: SAUL
Saul was a broken and tormented leader. He clung desperately to power, driven by insecurity and jealousy. Saul undermined and hated David. He falsely accusing him, sabotaging him, and even hunting him down to kill him.
Yet David responded with humility. He chose to honor Saul as the one God had anointed as king, even when Saul did not act like it. David refused to take matters into his own hands, even when given opportunities to harm Saul. Instead, David trusted that God would deal with Saul in His own time.
Proverbs 20:22: “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you.”
David’s response to his leader was not about Saul’s worthiness, but about David’s submission to God’s authority. Instead of seizing the throne by force or taking revenge, he chose humility, knowing that true promotion comes through surrender and faithfulness, not rebellion. He understood that God, not man, determines the right time and way to elevate a leader. Because of his obedience, God fulfilled His promise and made David king.
Matthew 23:12: “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”
➡️JUDAS HAD A PERFECT LEADER: JESUS
Jesus walked closely with Judas, teaching, loving, and providing for him. He corrected Judas when needed and even entrusted him with responsibilities. Judas was positioned as one of the 12 Apostles, which meant he was one of the closest people to Jesus when He walked the Earth.
Despite Judas having a perfect leader, he became disillusioned by Jesus. He allowed offense, greed, bitterness, and pride into his heart and ultimately betrayed the One who only showed him love and grace.
➡️THE MIRROR TO THE HEART
These two men served under VERY different leaders, but I believe these examples are intended to reveal a deeper truth: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬”
Instead of pointing out their flaws, it’d be better for us to look at our own flaws and examine our own heart. Those God anoints and places into leadership -flawed or not- are like mirrors that will reflect hidden things within us. They can provide a reflection of our own heart and character.
When I realized God uses leaders to reveal and refine MY heart every person that God placed around me, regardless of their imperfections. I also stopped rebelliously praying that God would “help my leader understand the error of his/her ways”. I even stopped trying to change the church I was attending along with everyone else, and instead I started allowing God to change my own heart.
➡️FINAL THOUGHTS
Most leaders aren’t Saul, and they’re certainly not Jesus. So, don’t let the enemy come and try to make you believe they’re a Saul, or have you expect them to be Jesus!
Stay faithful, humble and operate in integrity; promotion will come! Deal with the hidden things of the heart that bring pride, rebellion, a desire to dishonor/point fingers, offense or bitterness. These things stop us, and worse can destroy us.
Don’t miss out on God’s best! Trust His timing, guard your heart, and stay faithful no matter the circumstances.
Blessings
– Pastor Zach