Daily Manna – March 12, 2016
Topic: Godly leadership
Reading: 1Chronicles 22
Scripture: And David commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying. (1Chron 22:17)
Note: Power has an interesting way of influencing and controlling people. There are many examples of people in leadership who allowed the positions they occupied to influence negatively, their relationship with God. Examples cut across kings, political leaders, dictators, CEO’s, etc.
When people occupy thrones, the tendency is to allow the cultures, rituals, traditional beliefs and other nuances to influence decisions and relationships, overriding one’s primary relationship with God, that is if it existed at all in the first place. The common impression one gathers is that people who occupy thrones and positions of power do not change in their attitudes towards God for the better, so long as they continue to enjoy the perks and privileges that comes with the position.
David was one example of a king who didn’t allow his position to influence him negatively towards God. Like any other person in position of power, David occasionally misused his power. The annexing of Bathsheba to himself as a lover, a married woman whose husband was in the war front fighting to defend the honour of David, and whose untimely death was masterminded and stage managed by David to appear like a coincidence, was an example of a dastardly act that received an equal measure of reprimand from God, eventually bringing out the best from a man who repented while seated on the throne and rose up to demonstrate a man who truly understood the ways of God.
Nearing his death and soon to be succeeded by Solomon, David desired God to be at the centre of worship and daily life in Israel. He summoned all the princes to make the building of the temple their number one priority. Firstly, their hearts and souls must be aligned to God. When the temple is complete, the ark of the covenant of the Lord must be brought into the temple. It is to be followed by the holy vessels of God.
Food for thought: David understood that the restoration of true worship of God, putting God at the centre, is the greatest thing to building a healthy nation.
Declaration: Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord. (1Chron 22:19)
© Author: Rev Fred Aboe
