As the election cycle ramps up in America, and as turmoil in leadership within the Church becomes visible, we all need a dose of spiritual sanity and clarity to hold the course of our faith. That sanity and clarity will resemble the last words of King David who knew his time on Earth was ending.

David’s last words were insightful into his life. They also offer us a model of how we should live our lives and choose our leaders. David quoted the Lord in his final discourse, “When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth” (II Samuel 23:3).

For those who lead us, a true and Godly leader will rule with righteousness, not for personal gain or the ability to lord over the people they serve. The effects of their leadership will produce hope of a better future like waking up to a clear and cloudless morning. They will create an environment where productivity, not decline, will lead the way forward just like rain that brings forth grass and the hope of a harvest.

Regarding how we should respond regarding the future of our lives, David said of God, “His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail” (vs. 5). David had challenges with pretenders who wanted to be king of Israel. Their attempts at usurping David’s leadership never caused David to flinch in his faith because no matter what happened to him, God was in charge of arranging and guaranteeing David’s future reign.

When we have an opportunity to choose leaders in society and within the Church, we can use David’s last words to determine who we will choose to lead us if afforded the choice. There is a single question to ask that is not based on how someone looks or their leadership style. It is based on their purpose. Do they lead with righteousness? That kind of leader will release clarity like a sunrise on a clear morning and afford opportunities for life to flourish under their leadership like the coming of a fresh rain.

If we do all we can to install a righteous leader and an unrighteous leader gains control, God remains sovereign. Whatever the Lord has decided in Heaven to be expressed on Earth has already been arranged and guaranteed. We are never without that hope. The last words from David are an opportunity for us to examine our trust in the Lord, especially in those times when it seems the future is not arranged or guaranteed to express the glory of God.