ODJ: Good Leader in a Good World

October 31, 2017 

READ: Isaiah 11:2-9 

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him (v.2).

Over the past few years, we’ve experienced a great deal of political upheaval. While such turmoil isn’t new, many are wrestling with what kind of leaders to trust and how to hold our leaders accountable for governing in ways that are good for everyone—not merely for a select few who hold the purse strings or wield power.

Ancient Israel’s kings had failed at every turn, demonstrating rampant greed and abuses of power. Rather than establishing justice and helping the people stay true to God, the rulers brought shame and decay. Isaiah, however, described the Leader who would come to rule with justice, equity and mercy. This would be the Messiah, and the “Spirit of the Lord will rest on him” (11:2). All the renewal and hope the new king brought would be possible only because God would make it so.

And this new king, empowered by God’s Spirit, would carry with Him the qualities people never imagined they’d find in any one leader. This Messiah-King would have “wisdom and understanding” (v.2)—the skill of applying knowledge alongside a keen ability to discern right from wrong. This new ruler would have “counsel and might” (v.2)—careful, thoughtful deliberation mixed with the tenacity to withstand great trials. Perhaps most importantly, God’s new king would possess “knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (v.2)—an unflinching awareness of truth accompanied by complete submission to God.

In time, we discovered that this new King was Jesus, and we found ourselves waiting for this King to come yet again. We long for the good world that Isaiah says this good Ruler will bring (vv.6-9). With Jesus as King, we wait in hope that one day the world will finally be made right.

—Winn Collier

365-day-plan: Acts 15:22-41