Slideshow image

Day Ninety-One

Wisdom and Responsibility in Leadership (Read Proverbs 31:1-7)

31 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message,[a] which his mother taught him.

2 O my son, O son of my womb,
    O son of my vows,
3 do not waste your strength on women,
    on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
    Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5 For if they drink, they may forget the law
    and not give justice to the oppressed.
6 Alcohol is for the dying,
    and wine for those in bitter distress.
7 Let them drink to forget their poverty
    and remember their troubles no more.

Footnotes

  1. 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa; or of King Lemuel, an oracle.

Reflection:

Proverbs 31:1-7 is a powerful passage where King Lemuel's mother offers wisdom to her son on leadership, self-control, and justice. She warns him about the dangers of wasting his strength on distractions and urges him to avoid the abuse of alcohol. Her message is clear: a leader's responsibility is to stay focused and sober, making decisions that are just and wise, especially in caring for the wounded, excluded, and suffering. Thank God for rockstar moms! My mom was a rock in many people's lives.

Jesus calls us to lead with integrity and self-control, just as King Lemuel's mother instructed. We see Jesus' leadership in action throughout the Gospels—He always focused on God's mission, served others, and led with wisdom and compassion. As followers of Jesus, He calls us to live with that same intentionality. We must avoid distractions and temptations that pull us away from our purpose and stay rooted in God's truth and love.

As John Maxwell said, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." We are all leaders in some capacity, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, and Jesus shows us how to lead with humility, wisdom, and justice.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What distractions pull me away from living with focus and integrity?
  2. How can I cultivate greater self-control in areas where I feel tempted to lose focus on God's calling?
  3. What steps can I take to ensure I lead with justice and compassion, especially toward those in need?

Next Steps:

  1. Identify distractions: This week, reflect on any habits, behaviors, or relationships that distract you from God's calling and commit to removing or limiting those distractions.
  2. Practice self-control: Choose one area where you struggle with self-control (e.g., alcohol, social media, or time management) and set specific boundaries to help you stay focused on what matters most.
  3. Serve others with justice: Look for opportunities to lead with compassion and justice this week, whether by volunteering, offering a listening ear, or standing up for someone in need.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the perfect example of a wise and compassionate leader. Help me to follow Your example by staying focused on the purpose You've given me. Teach me to lead with humility, self-control, and justice, especially in caring for those who are vulnerable and oppressed. Remove the distractions in my life that pull me away from You and fill me with Your wisdom and strength. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

This devotion reminds us to follow Jesus' example of focused, wise, and just leadership, avoiding distractions, and living purposefully for God's glory.

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of Scripture. Amen.