“David said to Saul, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.’” (1 Samuel 17:32)

Exceptional leaders are marked by their ability to take initiative. Initiative is the courage to step forward when others hesitate, the willingness to act when circumstances demand it, and the faith to trust God for the outcome. David exemplified this quality when he volunteered to fight Goliath. While Israel’s army trembled, David declared boldly that he would face the giant (1 Samuel 17:32–35, 48). His initiative changed the course of the battle and inspired a nation.

Initiative is not recklessness; it is courage rooted in faith. David’s confidence was not in his own strength but in the God who had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear. He remembered God’s past faithfulness and acted in faith for the present challenge. Leaders who take initiative do so because they trust God’s promises, not because they are fearless or flawless.

Numbers 25:1–13 records another example in Phinehas. When Israel fell into sin with Moabite women and idolatry, Phinehas acted decisively to stop the rebellion. His zeal preserved the nation and earned him a covenant of peace from God. Initiative often requires confronting sin, injustice, or complacency. Leaders who take initiative protect the integrity of God’s people and advance His purposes.