Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land.

Isaiah 32:1-2

Throughout the opening chapters of Isaiah, we are repeatedly confronted with God’s judgment. Not only the chosen people, but also pagan nations are condemned for their wickedness. But every now and then a glimmer of hope shines through the darkness. Isaiah 32:1-2 is such a ray of light. It foresees a time when a righteous king will rule. Under his ultimate authority will be “honest princes” who protect their people rather than exploit them, who provide a context in which their people can flourish rather than be stunted by violence and fear.

Isaiah’s vision surely includes the messianic kingdom, over which Christ rules with justice, righteousness, and peace. It captures an element of our hope for the future, when human authority will be rightly used under the sovereignty of Almighty God.

Yet this vision of leadership can inspire us even today. Most of us are leaders in one context or another, if not several. We are bosses or parents or volunteer coordinators or deacons or elders or Sunday School teachers or teachers or civic officials or . . . . Our leadership will only be blessed if we first submit to Jesus, our righteous king. Taking our orders from him and imitating his example, we will seek the best for those under our leadership. Rather than dominating them, we will strive to lift them up. When they are threatened, we will protect them. And we will do these things and so many more in the humble attitude of Jesus.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you submitted your life to the King of kings? Do you see your leadership as part of this submission? Would those who are under your charge think of you as a shelter and refuge?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, King of kings, what a privilege it is to serve you! How blessed I am to submit my life to you, to seek your glory in all that I do.

I recognize, Lord, that you have called me into positions of leadership: at work and in family, through my writing and speaking. May my leadership be founded on the rock of my submission to you. May I seek to imitate you in all that I do as a leader. Help me, Lord, to learn to be shelter and refuge for those who follow me, so that they might flourish in their service to you. May I never seek to lord it over those whom I lead. Teach me how to be their servant even as I am their leader. Amen.