Visionary Spiritual Leadership
ICS Daily Devotions
2 Kings 18:5 (NKJV) He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him.
2 Chronicles 29:2 (NKJV) And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.
To be a visionary spiritual leader of today, we can draw inspiration from King Hezekiah. Unlike his father King Ahaz, he trusted in the Lord God of Israel and he chose to do what was right in the sight of the Lord. He modelled himself after King David, who was known as a king after God’s own heart.
Hezekiah understood the Mosaic covenant and the importance of pleasing God by walking in His ways and statutes. Hezekiah was convinced that the reason for the plight of his people was due to their departure from the Lord and he believed that everything would turn for the better once the kingdom’s relationship with God was re-established. Hezekiah’s obedience to God’s ways and his trust were pivotal in turning around the kingdom of Judah politically, economically, morally, and socially.
Hezekiah’s faith was rooted in the promises of God found in the covenant and the experiences of King David. Hezekiah believed that God would honour the terms of the covenant if they walked in His ways and followed His statutes. The promises include:
Spiritual Prosperity: A close walk with God and recognition as a holy people (Deuteronomy 28:1).
Political Prosperity: Victory over enemies and a distinguished reputation (Deuteronomy 28:1b, 2, 7,9-10).
Economic Prosperity: Abundance in the city and the countryside, prosperity in agriculture, and successful endeavours (Deuteronomy 28:3-8, 11-12).
In our contemporary context, leaders often face a dilemma between achieving worldly success and being godly. However, it’s a common misconception that the two are mutually exclusive. Hezekiah’s life demonstrates that it is possible to be both a godly and successful leader.
Just like how Hezekiah applied his faith in God’s conditional covenant to bless them if they walked in His way, when we apply faith to what belongs to us as a child of God according to God’s promises in His Word, God will also be faithful to His covenant with us. When we consecrate ourselves to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, we don’t need to worry about business, work, or ministry because God’s strength and wisdom are available to help us face challenges.
King Hezekiah turned the whole kingdom of Judah around when he decided to put the kingdom in order spiritually. Everything worked well when the issue of spiritual deterioration was resolved. Likewise, if your life is in a mess, you might want to look at your spiritual condition. We want to be a visionary spiritual leader who has a long-term perspective and a desire not only to prosper financially but also holistically. The decision to be that kind of leader begins now.
Sermon Series: Wise Leadership
