Are you humble and teachable? (106-4)

Given a choice, most leaders would choose to be effective and have a positive legacy rather than be ineffective and leave a reputation of poor performance. A positive legacy is possible for every leader if they remain humble and teachable. Read 2 Kings 22.

Josiah became king of Judah at age eight, following the murder of his father (2 Kings 21:23-26). Yet, unlike his father, the Bible says Josiah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or the left.”

Josiah respected the role of spiritual leaders. He maintained a teachable spirit, desiring to hear the words of God. During a renovation of a portion of the temple, Hilkiah, the high priest, found a book of the law, probably a copy of Deuteronomy, which had been stored away for generations. Josiah’s immediate response to the reading of the Book of the Law was to humble himself before God. He understood the implications of Judah’s neglect of the law, and his heart was responsive to all that he heard.

Josiah listened to the scriptural rebuke found in the newly discovered book and responded with brokenness, realizing how far from God’s law his people had strayed. His reign brought about restoration of the temple, and his godly influence helped reduce the effects of decades of evil leadership. Josiah was humble and teachable and passionately pursued God’s instructions rather than personal privilege and prestige.

Not every leader whose actions honor God will see God move to honor them publicly during their life time – some do, but the legacy of every godly leader will reflect a life well lived. In Josiah’s case, God rewarded his actions by allowing him to live in peace. He died in battle, but never saw the devastation poised to sweep over his nation. Scripture devotes two entire chapters of 2 Kings to describe Josiah’s life and influence, compared to just a few paragraphs or, sometimes only a few sentences, to describe the legacy of some of the wicked kings.

Can your leadership be described by Proverbs 11:11 (tlb) “The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper, but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill.”