08/30/2021
“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 17:6)
God’s people need role models and spiritual leaders. Without them the past history of God’s acts and the future hope based on those acts can be easily forgotten. Lack of leadership and forgetting of history lead to self-centered lifestyles. Israel ignored God’s moral an religious demands when no one led them to remember His historical deliverance.Therefore, the need for teaching and instruction in God’s Word is essential. Let me ask these questions; “How much time do you spend in a Bible Study? How much time do you spend in God’s Word on your own time? Where do you find role models in your own life?
PRAYER FOR THE DAY:
Precious Abba, this brief verse from Judges reflects on a man looking for a place to live, comes across Micah, would become a prophet. He took the man in, treated him as his own son and eventually installed him as his own priest. Both men were searching for what they did not have, but by the younger man’s acceptance into Micah’s family, found a role model and was led to the priesthood. God calls us all to His family and assures us He will treat them fairly and put them to work. Who among us has encountered someone similarly and missed the opportunity to be a role model for them? Conversely, how many of us encountered a role model and turned away, not sure of being welcomed. Beloved, we pray this day for all those who have answered God’s call for them, for those who are discerning a call in their own lives, and for those who become a part of others’ call as role models for people they work and live with. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
“Be a fountain, not a drain!”
KNOWING GOD:
“Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Did I not clearly reveal myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? I chose your father out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your father’s house all the offerings made with fire by the Israelites. Whey do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel? Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your family line and you will see distress in my dwelling,’ Although good will be done to Israel, in your family line there will never be an old man. Every one of you that I do not cut off from my altar will be spared only to blind your eyes with tears and to grieve your heart, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life. ‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day. I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before my anointed one always. Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a crust of bread and plead, ‘Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat.’” (1st Samuel 2:27-36)
This is a bit long, but worthy of reading, for it explains how seriously God is when He calls His leaders. I still recall the day I was ordained and how my Bishop placed his hands on me and gave His charge and blessing to my ministry. I could feel the weight of the charge upon my head and shoulders and it brought tears to my eyes, that I remembered the day and time when God called me to ministry in the church.
Those of Eli’s house who had enjoyed the best of everything and took advantage of their positions is a reminder for all of us who accept God’s call to ministry; lay or ordained. The last line remnants of Eli’s family could only call upon God’s anointed (Jesus Christ our Messiah) to some priestly office so I can have food to eat. All I could feel is sadness for them. Beloved, God’s revelation in history should be sufficient motivation for His chosen leaders to remain faithful to Him. Leaders cannot expect to retain positions when they ignore God and His expectations. God is not bound to honor unfaithful leaders.
I AM:
“All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.’ And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.” (2nd Samuel 5:1-5)
God chooses historical leaders for His people. His choice does not automatically install them in office. Humans must recognize God’s choice and install the leader in office. David waited years between the anointing by Samuel and the coronation in Hebron.
SECOND THOUGHT of the DAY:
“Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” (2nd Chronicles 9:8)
These are the words of the Queen of Sheba, upon visiting Solomon and recognizing him as Israel’s king. She had brought valuables of gold, large quantities of spices and precious stones. In truth, Solomon gave to her more than she had asked for, and certainly more than she brought him. It was a day for a show of mutual respect and probably also symbolic of a friendly relationship between their two countries.
It is true that the fame, prosperity and success of leaders reflects on the community which they lead. God revealed His love for His people by providing good leaders for His people. The leader’s responsibility was to reflect that love to the people by maintaining justice and righteousness throughout the land.
I cannot stop here. As citizen’s of multiple countries that receive this blog, I must implore all of you to hold your elected officials accountable for their actions or inaction’s; for their promise of honorable service on behalf of you, those who elected them to their various offices; to Almighty God who called them to service to represent the citizen’s that elected them; to the oath that each one takes; to be honorable men and women and to be role models, whether they want to be or not.
Daily Meditation by Rev. Jerry 