Today’s Reading 1 Kings 3-5
Focal Scripture: 1 Kings 3:12 “I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.”
Knowing what you know and knowing what you don’t know makes a good leader. Solomon was embarking on this journey for the first time and needed help. So instead of asking for material items Solomon asked for wisdom.
This greatly pleased the Lord. Too often people who are in charge lead from a position of power instead of a position of wisdom. When people lead with power they force their will on others. They make it about themselves and forget that they must understand the people they lead.
A wise leader with an understanding heart sees the good in people. They understand that not everyone is the same. They use the strengths of those around them as an asset not as a detriment. However, that only happens when the leader humbles himself before God and submits to his kingship. Leaders who think they are in charge miss the mark.
Christians must pay attention to the warnings given in the Old Testament. Chapter after chapter. Verse after verse explains what good leadership and what bad leadership looks like. Bad leaders are the ones who think they are in control. Good leaders are the ones who follow the heart of God.
The application for believers today is simple. What kind of leader are you in your environment. Are you a leader who needs control? Or are you a leader who seeks wisdom to understand others?
It doesn’t matter if you’re leading at home, a business, McDonald’s, or even a church. Biblical leadership is contrary to worldly leadership. The world says I’m in charge do what I say. The Bible says submit to the Lord and view others with compassion and wisdom.
Think of how our homes, business, relationships and churches would function if biblical leadership was the standard and not worldly leadership.
Seek to have a godly wisdom and watch how the environment around you changes. Going against the grain is never easy but it is biblical.
Tomorrow I Plan on Reading 1 Kings 6-7
