MEN OF INTEGRITY, HUMILITY, HONESTY WITH A SERVANT’S HEART – THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Leadership is crucial and critical for any group of people. Leadership that is at the helm and running the affairs will make or break the families, societies, organisations, nations and Churches. The quality of leadership will greatly influence the quality of the organisation, and will decisively impact its success or failure – this is my honest observation of life and leadership. Hence, as a Christians we should pay utmost attention and care in nurturing godly Christian leadership in all our spheres of influence based solely on sound and eternal biblical principles of leadership.
– “Christians are rightly and necessarily concerned about leadership, but many seem to aim no higher than secular leadership standards and visions. We can learn a great deal from the secular world and its studies and practices of leadership, but the last thing the church needs is warmed-over business theories decorated with Christian language.” – Tim Challies

Let us look at the life of Daniel, and see what he can speak to us this morning about leadership in the Church, and Christian influence on leadership in the world. Daniel and his life is a reflection of how a Christian can be a man of INTEGRITY, HUMILITY, HONESTY with A SERVANT’S HEART and be successful.

1- INTEGRITY OF DANIEL
He kept himself consciously clean when he determined in his heart not to defile himself by eating the royal food. Daniel was extremely polite and gentle while expressing his concerns about the food to the Chief of Eunuchs who was in charge of all arrangements for the trainee administrators of the Babylonian Empire.
– “8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8

Daniel intentionally upheld his integrity, and did not consider compromise, even at the cost of great personal loss, including his very life, if he disobeyed the royal decree with regards to food. 
– “3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

2- HUMILITY OF DANIEL
Daniel never personally claimed the acclaim for revealing the dreams and visions to Nebuchadnezzar. He was humble enough to point the king to the King of kings, the LORD God Almighty.
– “27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:” – Daniel 2:27-28

Daniel never craved for the attention, praise and glory that belongs solely to God and God alone. He was humble to point to God, the source of all wisdom.
– “6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” – James 4:6

3- HONESTY OF DANIEL
Daniel chose to be honest all his life and in all his dealings. He never tried half truths and white lies. He chose the discomforting truth as his choice of conduct. 
– “24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses…27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” – Daniel 4:24-25,27

Be it with food issue and the interpretation of a terribly bad dream of Nebuchadnezzar, and his entire life in the service of the conquering kings of Babylon, Daniel was absolutely honest and forthright in expressing his thoughts and views. He never ever compromised.
– “22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” – Proverbs 12:22

4- SERVANT’S HEART DANIEL
Daniel faithfully served his God in a foreign land under different kings, and he found favour with everyone he worked with right from the Eunuch who was in charge of their food to the last king mentioned in the Book of Daniel.
– Daniel was a captive slave in a foreign land. Yet Daniel chose to serve the kings of Babylon faithfully without any bitterness or hatred. 
– Daniel never forgot his friends and fellow Hebrew children. He promoted them wholeheartedly because they were good leaders themselves.
– Daniel worked with impeccable record so much so they nine of his enemies could find fault nor corruption in him.
– Daniel looked at the work he was doing as a way to honour God.
– Daniel demonstrated in clear and unmistakable terms, the heart of a true servant by staying faithful to God, working with total honesty, and serving different earthly kings with humility.

The LORD is looking for MEN OF INTEGRITY, HUMILITY, HONESTY with a SERVANT’S HEART – this is the NEED OF THE HOUR dear brothers and sisters. Can we rise up to the occasion and stand UNCOMPROMISINGLY making INTEGRITY, HUMILITY, HONESTY with a SERVANT’S HEART as the foundational pillars of our lives? God is looking for such people. May we seek the LORD Jesus to help us be such uncompromising leaders for the glory of our LORD Jesus; for the blessing of His people; and for the extension of His kingdom. Even so the LORD help us.