“As a beast goes down into the valley, And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, So You lead Your people, To make Yourself a glorious name.”
Isaiah 63:14 NKJV
Recently I was asked to define leadership without using the word lead. My response was simple – to inspire people to make forward progress. I suggested that you have to discover your teams motives and opportunities and develop both areas concurrently.
As a “leader” I’m drawn to leadership topics and books. I love a good quote that inspires and am always looking for ways to inspire my team. So naturally, when I read this passage, it gave me pause because I want to learn from the greatest leader that has ever existed – G-d!
Then I looked at the Hebrew for “lead” in this passage – and took an even greater pause:
Lead: nâhag – to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); to carry away, drive (away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth).
In this passage, this verse is referring to G-d leading His people OUT and AWAY.
Wait a second. He led His beloved people to into the wilderness? Yes. He led His people to suffer? Yes. He led them through the sea and into the wilderness in order to position them to see, to know, and to experience just how glorious He is. He led them that way because He knew best.
Likewise He leads me on the best path for my life. It’s not for me to question Him or to demand to know why. It’s for me to pay attention and follow. He is positioning me to see, to know, and to experience His glory. I want Him to be made glorious in and through my life. No matter the cost. No matter the sorrow. No matter the solitude. All of Him. Less of me. My life used for His glory alone.
Father – thank You for Your Word and Your voice in my life. I haven’t always followed well. I’ve been the child in the back crying “are we there yet” over and over. Help me to trust You more. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 59-63
July 31, 2022