Good Morning Friends,
“When Solomon had finished all these prayers
and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where
he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. He stood and
blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice.” (1 Kings 8:54-55)
I love the picture of King Solomon that is
presented in the verses above. Now, understand that Solomon had his share of
problems and then some – just like his father, David, did. But the picture in
these verses is of a king doing two things that every king … or leader of any
kind … should do.
He bowed in submission before the Lord of
Heaven. We see Solomon kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. That’s a posture of submission to God.
He stood and blessed the whole assembly of the
people of Israel. He wasn’t just concerned about himself, his comfort and
pleasure, his power and wealth, his reputation and honor. He was concerned
about the people he led. To be sure, Solomon wanted to be blessed by God … but
just as much, he wanted see God bless the people he led.
There is no such thing as an absolute ruler on
earth. Many kings and leaders through the ages have wanted to believe that was
true of them. Many have tried to convince the world that they had absolute
authority. But all such claims to absolute authority that are made by men are
lies. There is only One who is sovereign … who has absolute authority … and
that One is the Lord God of heaven. The most powerful leader on earth must
still bow before Him. Those are the leaders we should follow!
And no leader should lead for his or her own
benefit … but for the benefit of those being led.
Oh, to see more leaders like Solomon … that
should be our prayer!
Steve
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