The Wise Old Owl gets it’s name from a very old nursery rhyme that went like this…

A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

From the nursery rhyme to modern day life the owl is seen as wise mostly because of their ability to sit completely still and remain silent. They are perceived as observant and aware and seem to pay close attention to what is going on around them.

Take a look, with the stillness and silence of the owl, at Psalm 34 and see if anything resonates for you as a leader. I have read Psalm 34 a number of times but this week as I sat quietly open and mindfully available I read it differently. I hope you do as well.

We Are Perpetual With Praise

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. Psalm 34:1 NLT

Even though circumstances may have wrapped us in despair we still have the choice to remain thankful. We still have the choice to praise God. When we give thanks and praise God in the midst of difficulty it alters our outlook in a positive way.

We Can Encourage To Empower

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord ’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. Encourage others by praising God in the midst of your difficulty. Psalm 34:2-3 NLT

When we praise God in the midst of our own difficulty we become a living object of encouragement to others empowering them through their own difficult circumstances.

We Have Freedom From Fear

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NLT

People who make life decisions in the face of fear often make poor choices. God sent His Son to set us free and he set us free indeed. Freedom from death and freedom from fear!

We Are Saved From Shame

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:5 NLT

Shame isn’t something to be take lightly because shame focuses on our being not our behavior. “I’m a bad leader, I’m a terrible parent, I am no good, I am a mistake,” are all examples of shame. When we feel shame we want to hide (See Adam and Eve in the garden) but God has removed our shames and replaced it with joy!

We Know Troubles Are Temporary

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:6 NLT

I actually prefer the NASB wording of this verse which says, “And saved him out of all his troubles.” He saves us out of our troubles not from them. We go through difficulties but we don’t go through them alone, He is always with us. Not only does the Lord listen, he saves.

We Are Surrounded And Safe

For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Psalm 34:7 NLT

I wonder how many things go on around our life that we don’t see. Our battle is with the unseen world and we have protection from that world. I wonder what it would be like if God simply revealed that world to us for a brief moment. I wonder how that would change our journey from this point forward?

Wise Words For Leaders From Psalm 34