What can Psalm 34 teach us about leading and serving others?
In this episode of the When She Serves Podcast, Brenda Leavenworth is joined by Kelly Bell and Janie Alfred for a thoughtful conversation about leadership lessons found in Psalm 34.
Psalm 34 was written in the context of David’s deliverance, yet its message reaches far beyond one moment in David’s life. It points us toward a life marked by praise, trust, humility, seeking the Lord, and encouraging others to experience God’s goodness.
Brenda, Kelly, and Janie explore how these truths shape the way women lead and serve. Rather than defining leadership primarily by position or influence, this conversation looks at leadership through the lens of a life that is surrendered to God and willing to point others toward Him.
As ministry leaders and servants, we will inevitably encounter fear, difficulty, disappointment, and uncertainty. Psalm 34 reminds us where our confidence belongs—and how our response to those circumstances can influence the people we lead.
In This Episode
- Leadership lessons found throughout Psalm 34
- What David’s experience teaches us about trusting God
- The connection between praise and leadership
- Learning to seek the Lord in difficult circumstances
- How fear can affect the way we lead and serve
- The importance of humility in spiritual leadership
- Why leaders need to continually remind themselves of God’s faithfulness
- Encouraging others to “taste and see that the Lord is good”
- How our personal walk with God influences those we serve
- Leading others toward God rather than toward ourselves
A Word for Ministry Leaders
Leadership can sometimes become focused on what needs to be accomplished—the next event, the next meeting, the next ministry challenge, or the people who need to be cared for.
Psalm 34 brings us back to something more fundamental: Who are we trusting?
A healthy leader doesn’t have to pretend that everything is easy. David openly speaks about fear, trouble, brokenness, and affliction. Yet his response is to turn toward God.
For women serving in ministry, that is an important reminder. Our effectiveness isn’t ultimately dependent upon having everything under control. We lead best when our own lives continually point back to the One who is our refuge.
Scripture Focus
Psalm 34
This episode centers on Psalm 34, with particular attention to its themes of:
- Praising God continually
- Seeking the Lord
- Finding freedom from fear
- Tasting and seeing God’s goodness
- Taking refuge in Him
- Trusting God’s presence in trouble
- God’s care for the brokenhearted
- Learning to pursue peace and righteousness
About the Guests
Kelly Bell
Kelly Bell is the Director of Women’s Ministry at Calvary Murrieta and has served in that role for decades. She has a passion for seeing women grow in their faith and become doers of the Word, not hearers only.
Kelly is a Bible teacher, devotional writer, and author of the Reasons to Rejoice Bible study series. She also oversees a Justice Ministry and has a passion for advocating for those who are vulnerable and oppressed.
Janie Alfred
Janie Alfred loves teaching God’s Word and encouraging women in their walk with the Lord. She was raised in a missionary family in Brazil and has been married to Justin for more than five decades. Together they have five daughters and nine grandchildren.
Janie’s passion for teaching Scripture and encouraging sisters in Christ makes her a natural voice for a conversation about how God’s Word shapes the way we serve and lead.
Resources & Links
When She Serves
Visit the When She Serves website
https://whensheserves.com/
Psalm 34
Read Psalm 34 on Bible Gateway
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034
