Daily Manna – March 16, 2016
Topic: Selfless leadership
Reading: 1Chronicles 22
Scripture: Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. (1Chron 22:14)
Note: David demonstrated abundantly during his reign as king of Israel an unalloyed and unadulterated passion and love for God and the nation of Israel. In all his war conquests spanning 40 years of gruelling battles establishing the foundations of a nation that would be robust enough to withstand the threats of enemies surrounding them, David’s war chest of gold, silver and brass were all dedicated to God, the worship of God, and the building of the temple.
David kept nothing personal to himself. His consuming passion to see the glory of God in the land, to see both leaders and people dedicating their hearts and souls to God, and the restoration of true worship in the land, were overriding reasons and too strong a consideration to allow for a momentary lapse in selfishness, self-aggrandisement, self-worth and self-glory. David kept nothing to himself or his family. He built a solid foundation for his successor, Solomon for a wealthy and a prosperous nation. No wonder Solomon built on the foundation left for him to become the wealthiest and wisest king on the earth during his era.
Comparing David’s leadership style to what pertains on the African continent regarding our political leaders, leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth. It’s so obvious that we as a continent have not benefitted from the wisdom and example of David. David virtually abdicated the throne five years before his death so that he could supervise a smooth transition to his successor, having survived a chaotic attempt on his reign from his own son, Absalom, getting to the tail end of his reign.
In Africa, we have leaders who will only leave the scene when they are dead. We don’t have a succession plan and neither do we believe in any. Our political leaders will most of the time leave the scene with the nation worse of in debt than they met it. David left monetary reserves more than $5b in gold and silver for the next king. Meanwhile, our leaders take the gold and the silver from their countries and from the African continent and store the ill-gotten cash in foreign countries that are inaccessible to their own people; suffering from poverty, epidemic diseases and malnutrition. May God have mercy.
Food for thought: May Africa be imbued with the leadership of David and the wisdom of Solomon.
Declaration: If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3)
© Author: Rev Fred Aboe
