Jessica Benko

I am not a queen. Or a member of the royal family. Or famous world leader serving in an international spotlight. Chances are, you probably aren’t either … though admittedly, being queen for a day sounds like fun!

While most of us can’t relate to King David from a career perspective, there are countless noteworthy lessons and inspiring stories throughout his life that are applicable to our own experiences. And one of those lessons unfolds in Psalm 101.

Psalm 101 serves as a Guiding Principles: How to be More Like God When You’re About to be King guidebook for David as he prepares to become the anointed King over all of Israel. He recognizes the qualities that a God-like king could and should possess, and the positive impact those qualities would make, so he becomes intentional about pursuing those things/attributes: 

• My theme song is God’s love and justice.
• I’m doing the very best I can, and I’m doing it at home, where it counts.
• I reject made-in-Canaan gods.
• I refuse to shake hands with those who plan evil.
• I put a gag on the gossip who bad-mouths his neighbor.
• I can’t stand arrogance.
• Men and women on the straight and narrow — those are the ones I want on my side.
• I have no patience with liars.

Note: Above excerpts are taken from The Message translation, and don’t account for each guiding principle he spelled out in Psalm 101.

I had three takeaways after reading this passage:

First.

I wish I could give these guiding principles to leaders (across all industries, businesses, etc.) in our country and around the world! Since this could lead to another discussion entirely, we’ll leave that thought there…

Second.

I’m not an elected official, but I DO serve and lead in a variety of roles throughout the day. And I know I could benefit from being more intentional about any number of these things! Similar to how David’s reign, and relationship with others, benefitted from his thoughtful and God-focused, servant-leadership style.

Third.

Which of these guiding principles are most applicable to my life? I challenge you to also consider this question! 

The principle that resonated most with me was “doing the very best I can, and … doing it at home.” That’s because I ideally want to be a godly example of a wife and mom 24/7. Life happens though, and it’s often hard to be “the best I can” at home and for my family after a long day at work or when things are breaking down at every turn or when the kids can’t stop fighting.

One of my favorite all time verses, Proverbs 31:10, reinforces the importance of servant leadership at home that David alludes to Psalm 101. The Wife of Noble Character: 

• is worth far more than rubies,
• lacks nothing of value,
• brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life,
• provides food for her family,
• sets about her work vigorously.

She is someone else I strive to be like! This will always be a challenge, because navigating the ups and downs of everyday life is a challenge. However, it is one that David felt inspired enough by God to pursue and practice as he transitioned into his role as King. Even though I won’t be running for office any time soon, I have yet another scripture — Psalm 101! — to help me be more intentional about how to best serve God, and in doing so, serve/lead those around me.

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