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^8 Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
    and fulfill my vows day after day.

Psalm 61:1-8

I can’t imagine the emotional demands of a great president, governor, or king. I know the toll raising kids and loving grandkids takes. I’m familiar with the pressures of feeling responsible for the spiritual life of a hundred or more in a congregation. The weight of knowing people depend on me to be a mentor and guide brings stress, and the realization that every decision I make could influence another causes hesitation.

When my girls were young, my greatest enemy–other than Yahweh’s enemy–was inflation. Being a national leader means you have foes who lead armies and have access to weapons. This was King David’s dilemma when he wrote many of the Psalms.

The king who had a heart like God’s longed to keep the fledgling country safe. The Philistines were bigger and stronger. The Cushites had been a nation much longer, their armies were much better trained. Joshua his army had cleared the way for the people of Israel to become a bona fide nation. Still many of those ancient people groups held their ground. They wanted Israel to fail, and David had to face them.

Today as I read Psalm 61 and realized King David wrote this as he attempted to be a king and a servant of Yahweh, I wondered, “Might the outcome of legislative sessions change if our leaders trusted our Creator and prayed David’s prayer?”

Unfortunately, few politicians stand on the Rock that is Higher than I. Most try to do it themselves. According to MtVernon.org, George Washington’s nephew caught him many times kneeling with his Bible as he practiced morning and evening devotional times. I’ve not heard of any current world leaders or government officials carrying out such disciplines.

David knew the struggles of having the problems of the entire nation on his shoulders. He said his heart grew faint. So he cried out to God. He took refuge in the Almighty. He made vows to the Sovereign King–promises he intended to keep.

Is our nation missing out on the heritage given to those who fear God? What about your personal household? What if your faith leaves a legacy for generations to come simply because you believe?

I don’t know how to convince the leaders of this country to turn to God and trust Him completely. Regardless, I can bring favor on my children and grandchildren. I have the power to influence my nieces and nephews and the people in our congregation–even those who come only a couple of times a year.  And if I trust Him completely, and live in the shelter of His wings, I can count on God to increase the days of my life and make it a life of abundance.

You’ll find a book of devotions written especially for church leaders in my bookstore.
Devotions for Church Leaders and Small Groups
includes 75 short meditations to prepare you to lead.
Or get one for someone on your church leadership team.

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