Those who attempt to lead others will always have times of trials. To make any decision is to risk offending someone and losing the popularity contest. David discovered this when he and his men found that their wives and children had been taken captive by the Amelakites while they were away.
1 Samuel 30, verse 6, says, “And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.”
I don’t suppose there is a leader who has not experienced something like that. Moses dealt with it over and over again coming out of Egypt. Moses and David responded in the same way. But Moses led a couple million people. David became the approved leader of the entire nation as a man after God’s own heart. They had their detractors but they all had followers.
Peter Drucker, perhaps the most noted authority on leadership in the 20th century, says: A leader is one who has followers. An effective leader is not someone who is loved or admired. He is someone whose followers do the right thing. Popularity is not leadership, results are. Leaders are highly visible. They, therefore, set examples. Leadership is not rank or privileges, titles or money. Leadership is responsibility.
David took responsibility and brought results. The last part of verse six says, “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” He took charge of the situation and led the way to rescue the captive families.
Chuck
“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Galatians 3:26-27