All The Nations You Have Made Shall Come And Bow Down To You

Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul, from the depths of Sheol.

O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl. Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 86:1-17

David acknowledged that he was poor and needy when it came to leadership potential. He consistently prayed for wisdom. David looked at himself as a “servant” and pleaded for mercy. This was the man God had chosen to lead His people and he pleaded for God’s help. How much do we assume we can do? When do we acknowledge that without God, and His infinite wisdom, we are nothing, and we can do nothing?

We are told that the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last thing is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. All of us in leadership positions need the humble words of the Psalms as our guide.

The only leaders qualified to lead are those who have learned to serve.

Our Daily Bread – May 5, 2008