The story of King Saul provides a profound lesson for all leaders. Saul was appointed king because the people cried out for a leader, saying, “Appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). Yet, this was not God’s original plan for Israel. The request came from the people, not from divine instruction. Still, God honored their desire and chose Saul, a man whose personality and qualities fit the leadership needs of that season.
Saul’s challenge, however, was that he became focused on pleasing people rather than seeking God. God saw the potential within him, but Saul never fully tapped into it because he failed to cultivate a personal relationship with the One who appointed him. Many leaders today face the same challenge. Though they are appointed by God to positions of authority, they often fail to seek Him first, missing the guidance, wisdom, and revelation necessary to lead effectively.
King Solomon presents a contrasting example. Upon his appointment as king, Solomon offered a sacrifice, and God appeared to him, asking, “Ask what I shall give thee” (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon did not ask for riches, power, or long life—he asked for wisdom to govern God’s people. God granted him wisdom, and also gave him wealth and honor (1 Kings 3:11-13). This illustrates a timeless principle: the foundation of true leadership is seeking God before acting. Leaders who approach their roles with divine guidance position themselves to govern with wisdom and integrity.
Leadership is more than strong planning, strategic decisions, or public acclaim. It is about alignment with God’s will. Take Isaac, for example. During a season of famine, the logical solution was to take his family to Egypt, where water and irrigation systems were plentiful (Genesis 26:1-2). Yet God directed Isaac to remain in the land. By obeying God, Isaac prospered even in famine, and his obedience blessed generations to come (Genesis 26:12-13). This story demonstrates that the prosperity of a nation often depends on the heart and decisions of its leaders.
The Bible emphasizes this principle in Psalms 127:1: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” No matter how skilled, educated, or resourceful a leader may be, without God’s guidance, their work may be in vain. Leaders must cultivate a personal relationship with God, seeking His wisdom proactively, not only when crises arise. Too often, leaders turn to God only in moments of trouble, rather than understanding their divine purpose from the start.
My prayer is that leaders, both current and emerging, would seek God diligently to understand the significance of the positions they hold. True leadership begins at the feet of God. When leaders align their hearts with Him, nations prosper, communities flourish, and people experience true peace and provision. 2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Leadership without God is limited; leadership with God is transformational. It is God who appoints leaders, but it is the leader’s responsibility to seek Him for guidance, wisdom, and discernment. The success of a nation is not measured only by infrastructure, policies, or plans, but by the heart of those who lead it. Leaders who seek God become exemplary, guiding their nations in alignment with divine purpose and unlocking blessings that endure.
May God raise leaders who will seek His voice, lead with integrity, and steward their positions according to His wisdom. May their decisions bring prosperity, peace, and righteousness to the nations they serve. True leadership begins with God—and when leaders honor Him first, their nations flourish.
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