Question: What percentage of leaders in your life pray biblically? Your initial reaction may not be far off. How different that is from David in Scripture. Here’s what I mean …

Example of a Godly Servant-Leader (David) in Scripture: First, I can anticipate objections. “But David . . .” stuff. He was an adulterer; he took a census prematurely; he orchestrated a murder; he fathered a child with the wife of one of his commanders. Yes, I know. That’s the not the point here. The point here is that David went back to the Lord in repentance and faith. He sought God’s restoration. He implored God for forgiveness. He kept short accounts with God. To use an expression I heard growing up when folks thought a little too highly of themsevles, Momo would say, “Rooster, So and so has gotten too big for his britches; just watch out, now.” And sure enough, the fall would come.

When Satan incited David to number Israel, God was displeased. But it’s always instructive to me how David responded:

⁷ But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. ⁸ And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” (1 Chronicles 21:7-8, ESV)

David knew he had messed up. So he did the wise thing: he returned to God in repentance.

And in verse 17, it’s so clear what I’m driving at:

And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Lord my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.” (1 Chronicles 11:17, ESV)

David owned it, and God forgave and restored him. How? By the work of the Greater David. By the King of kings and Lord of lords, by the One who gave his life for his sheep.