How can Psalm 80:17 inspire leadership within our church community? The verse at the center “Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, upon the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.” (Psalm 80:17) Setting the verse in context • Psalm 80 is Asaph’s plea for national restoration after painful decline. • Verse 17 looks back to the king God literally placed on Israel’s throne (David’s line) and looks forward to the greater “Son of Man” who now sits at the Father’s right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33). • The request is simple: God’s hand—His power, favor, and guidance—must rest on the leader He appoints if the people are to thrive. What this teaches about leadership • Leadership is God-initiated: “the man…You have raised up.” (See Romans 13:1.) • Leadership is God-empowered: “Let Your hand be upon” echoes Exodus 15:6, “Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power.” • Leadership is God-honoring: the leader sits “at Your right hand,” enjoying closeness with God and acting in alignment with His will. Characteristics of leaders under God’s hand • Proximity to God – Like Moses in Exodus 33:11, they value God’s presence more than position. • Dependence on divine power – John 15:5 reminds us, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” • Humble service – Jesus, the ultimate “Son of Man,” “did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28) • Covenant faithfulness – They stand on the unchanging Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and lead accordingly. Practical ways to cultivate Psalm 80:17 leadership in our church 1. Prioritize personal communion with Christ • Daily Scripture intake and prayer keep leaders at God’s “right hand.” 2. Lay hands on emerging servants after discernment and prayer (Acts 13:2-3) • Recognize that God—not merely the congregation—raises them up. 3. Encourage Spirit-empowered ministry rather than mere talent (Zechariah 4:6) • Provide training that deepens reliance on the Holy Spirit. 4. Model servant leadership • Elders and ministry heads wash feet metaphorically by choosing the lowest place (John 13:14-15). 5. Hold leaders accountable to Scripture • Loving correction (Galatians 6:1) keeps God’s hand of blessing on the work. Expected outcomes when Psalm 80:17 guides us • A shepherding team united around Christ, not charisma (1 Peter 5:2-4). • A congregation that sees God’s power rather than human prowess (2 Corinthians 4:7). • Restored vitality, mirroring the revival Asaph sought: “Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name” (Psalm 80:18-19). Encouragement to present and future leaders Take heart—leadership within the church is never self-generated. The same God who literally raised up David and definitively exalted Jesus now places His hand on those who yield to His call. Stay near His right hand, embrace His empowerment, and watch Him revive His people through you. |
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