Last week’s devotional about the life of the late U.S. Senator John McCain generated more comments than most (actually I don’t usually receive comments about these weekly devotionals, but last week I did). The comments I received got me thinking about the whole matter of leadership, and the kind of leaders to which we are drawn.
Do you realize that the Bible is full of stories about national leaders? The Bible 
particularly tells about the advice that was given to the national leaders. One such story is found in the book of Daniel about a Babylonian king named Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar was a brilliant man, and he surrounded himself with the brightest and best, regardless of nationality. Isn’t that a great leadership principle? It was more important to him to be surrounded by the smartest people, and people with the greatest insight, than it was to be surrounded by other Babylonians.
In the midst of all his popularity and success, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that rocks his world. None of the smart guys, his advisers, could interpret the dream for him. So, they bring in this young Hebrew man named Daniel, who said, “Oh King Nebuchadnezzar, I wish this was a dream that one of your enemies had. Because this is a bad dream, and it doesn’t look good for you.” Daniel went on to tell all that will happen to Nebuchadnezzar, until he acknowledges that heaven, not he, rules.
Nebuchadnezzar, however, ignored Daniel’s advice and said, “This doesn’t apply to me; I’m the most powerful man on earth. I’m the king!” Twelve months later, Nebuchadnezzar’s royal authority was taken from him. He thought he had done everything himself. Nebuchadnezzar failed to recognize that the Most High God is sovereign over all the kingdoms of the earth, including his.
At that moment, Nebuchadnezzar was confronted with one of the most powerful leadership principles of all, and it’s this: leadership is a stewardship, which means it’s temporary, and you are accountable. Because it’s God who allowed you to hold this position, and you’re accountable not only to the people you represent; you’re accountable to God.
As our national leaders surround themselves with men and women who share their political persuasion, they should also remain open to the voices of outsiders. And even more than that, they should always listen to the voice of our heavenly Father, and ask that God would grace them, not only with the privilege of leadership, but also with the gift of godly wisdom.
In the name of the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
Bruce Jones, Pastor and Co-Creator,
Imagine Church of the Carolinas
