The word “greatness” will lose its value if it has no story behind it. No great man or woman without a heart-moving story of process connected to their lives will become great.
Every forest began with either a seed or a stem, coupled with several stages of growth. God has always been a Master in nurturing little things until they become great, valuable, and useful. In creating man, He began with one ‘Adam’ and then an ‘Eve’, but today we have over eight billion people on earth of different races, tribes, and languages. One Man made from the dust of the earth, weak on every side but quickened by the breath of God Almighty (Genesis 2:7).
Today, we have several inventions, craftworks of men, discoveries, advancement of technologies, the diversities of the ICT World, and much more which are the outcome of the one man that was created in weakness but became great and wise because of the breath of the Almighty,
“But there is a Spirit in Man, and the Breath of the Almighty gives him understanding” (Job 32:8).
Let’s take a glimpse at the story of King David at the cave of Adullam, he was a man of whom glorious things were spoken of but living in a gory situation.
“David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So, then his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So, he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” So, he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.
Now the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” So, David departed and went into the forest of Hereth” (1 Samuel 22:1-5, NKJV).
Before he became a king, his life was under threats from someone that once trusted and loved him. David was in a cave, a solitary place where he will not only find refuge but, give himself to solitude and meditation so that he may discern the will of God for his life as an influential leader. Many are being threatened by life challenges, debts to pay, emotional traumas from broken homes, economic meltdown, fear of tomorrow, and the like. David’s condition seems to worsen when he was surrounded by his family members and several downtrodden men and women whose life could be summarized in three D’s;
- They were in Distress
- They were in Debt
- They were Discontented
The question is how could a man in despair lead these calibers of men with the above qualities? Like a picture of a poor doctor surrounded by several sick persons, knowing what to do but who cannot do it because he has no medical equipment nor the strength to provide the needed treatment.
It’s the plan of the devil to keep men in distress, debt, and discontentment, he does this through men, which could lead to thoughts of suicide and serial killings as has been the order of the day in several parts of the world. How will you handle this season of depression? What did David do?
Let’s see David’s Qualities;
- He had an undying faith
- He had a Mentor to guide him.
- He had a God to seek
- He has a Vision to actualize.
- His Undying Faith: We must resolve to trust in God at all cost, knowing that our lives, purpose, and future is dependent on Him. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, was his confession. We must not allow passing situations to weigh us down. He became their captain because he knows that God is the Captain of their Salvation, so he trusted in God. When there seems to be an attack on the leadership, learn to withdraw and draw strength from God by Faith.
- His Mentorship: Though his parents were with him, they were not a good mentor for him in such a situation. He has the prophet Gad who brought the timely Word of God to him for direction. David being a good follower knows that his leadership shouldn’t deter him from taking counsel from the prophet Gad. This is what every leader must know – humility. There may be some employees or colleagues that are positioned in times like this to bring a word of direction to us.
- He had a God: “…till I know what God will do for me” was David’s resolution. Jesus Christ, our role Model, was never confused in His earthly leadership because He did nothing outside of what He sees the Father (God) doing. As soon as David brought God to the center of the scene, God took over. We must make a practice of discerning God’s will at all times, learning the art of patience, and waiting on God.
- His Vision: The life outcome of the 400 poor, unpromising and discontented men that came with David was a sign that David was unrelenting in his vision of raising confused men into competent men. Read 2 Samuel 23:8-38 and see the feats of these men. They were record-breaking warriors and made up the mighty men of David who finally enthroned him.
If David could rise, then you must rise. This story is a leadership story just like Jesus turning ordinary fishermen into great apostles, turning many from darkness to Light.
God is forming strength out of the bleak challenges you are facing at the moment. Take a while to ponder the words of the late Evangelist Billy Graham “Weak moments do not determine a weak man.” David’s life can be summarized as one that was called from Gory to Glory.
Build your God-given strength with Lead Like Jesus Revisited.
Michael Okuneye is a certified Facilitator with Lead like Jesus and also the African Representative. Experienced with missions and leadership matters since 1993. He is the Executive Director of Livingword Global leadership Mission; served as a missionary in Niger, Chad and in Nigeria where he resides, training Church Planters and Community Champions to build stronger and transformational churches in Africa. Having raised and trained many leaders in several nations, it has given him the voice in Leadership matters in Nigeria. He served as the Assistant to the National director of Bible league in Chad, later rose to National Head of Operations of Bible League Nigeria before proceeding to advance the course of Leadership and Mission. He is currently the Coordinator of the Teens Church in his local assembly where he raises leaders. As a great motivator, he has encouraged many, coupled with his unique approach to coaching and mentoring lives in diverse fields of specialization, more than 10,000 lives have been affected by his leadership. He is also championing the cause of community development in rural areas for positive changes. He is married to Titilope his best friend and they are blessed with five boys.
