"If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it?.." - Proverbs 24:12 (NIV).
A long time ago there was a belief that to make a leader you had to fit a certain bill in terms of physical look. For example, according to one managment theory to be leadership material you had to be the tallest of all, with other commanding physical characteristics like being the most handsome. Think of professional wrestlers who going by this theory would make the leadership cut!
Don't think we are being just funny. When Israel rejected God and demanded a king, do you know how Saul came about? "Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone" (I Samuel 9:2). Later, "Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!" (1 Samuel 10:24).
Well, inspite of his gigantic stature Saul was a disaster that after a series of gaffes, "Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!” (I Samuel 15:26).
In place of Saul in comes David. But is he a giant? Well, the irony is David's first major appearence is by taking on Goliath, a giant who was terrorising Israel. David defeated Goliath because, as he said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (I Samuel 17:45). Long story short the giant was slain by a couple of stones, catapulting David to become the man to replace Saul.
Saul lost the kingship because "the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). And as for David, "God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do" (Acts 13:22).
Have your heart in the right place and you are the leader God is looking for. Forget about what the world thinks!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, make my heart yield towards you, that I become the leader you want, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
