I Kings 15. You are a good leader, RIGHT?
It's hard to find good leaders, people who are willing to serve and love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Most of the Kings did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Once in a while you got one who truly loved the Lord. It seems our world needs people in every occupation, every position, who are willing to stand up for the Lord with all their heart soul mind and strength. Just as it was hard to find one good King, think of your occupation, is it hard to find a Christian in your field of interest? Do we stand out because of our love for the Lord and for others or do we look like everybody else? I feel like I struggle because when I get in a tough spot I question God or I worry. I can be selfish and none of these things am I proud about. Lord help me to walk in love with you and then with others. Let Colossians 3:17 be real in my life: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” If we lived out this passage, we would be seen as a great role-model and great leader.
I believe that the key to being a successful leader is being completely surrendered to God. Many of the kings didn’t follow the Lord as their King of kings and they suffered the consequences along with their followers.
Here are some Bible verses that I thought I would share today.
Zechariah 4:6
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
Luke 20:17-18
But He (Jesus) looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
David is mentioned again in today’s passage. His name will continue to be mentioned in the rest of Kings and Chronicles. F.B. Meyers said “How long after David’s sun had set did the light of his life glimmer over his house.” Because David loved and worshiped God so much, the glow of his life remained on his family and kingdom many years. (I’m not saying that everyone of his descendants walked with the Lord but still his life continued to be remembered by the nation.)
It’s good to stop and think about how our lives too can have long-term effects years down the road. We as Christians have been so blessed by those who came before – the early church and subsequent generations. We need to continue to consider our daily actions and words in terms of long-term effects. We need to continue to pray for our future generations – should the Lord tarry – that they may be dedicated to our Lord as David was.