Tag: father’s blessing
Smooth transitions!
Scripture reading for April 21st: 1st Chronicles 22-27
I have attended and worked in different church families and one of the things that was often done poorly was the transition of leadership. When the pastor resigned, no planning had been done by the core leadership of the church and a confusion resulted. The ensuing power struggles sometimes divided the church. The new leader was sometimes so different that many left the church. Skillful leadership seeks an orderly transition that will continue the work of God through that church family.
David was old and “full of years”. (1st Chronicles 23:1) Under God’s direction, he made Solomon king over Israel. David’s son Adonijah had tried to make himself king but Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan worked together to redirect the situation according to the will of the Lord. (1st Kings 1:1-5) During a transition, those with ambition often seek to take power or to control the one who is in power. It is one of the strategies of Satan to bring division and confusion in a family, church, or nation.
After installing Solomon, David wisely made provision to help his son succeed. David shared with Solomon that it was God’s will that he build the Lord’s house. He was positive and encouraging and prayed for God’s wisdom and discretion that his son might keep the Law of God and enjoy God’s favor! A father’s blessing and God’s blessing makes success possible! (1st Chronicles 22:11-13)
David assembled materials for the Temple. He generously provided from his own treasury for God’s house! He set a good example for his son and the nation of generosity and focus on God’s house. He knew that when God’s house was cared for, God would bless the people. (1st Chronicles 22:14-16)
Then David gathered the key leaders of Israel and encouraged them to support Solomon. David cited the Lord’s victories and how God had given the people rest. He encouraged the leaders to seek the Lord with all their heart and to begin building. This transition would continue the vision of the Lord and further the accomplishment of God’s will. (1st Chronicles 22:17-19)
God has a plan for transitions of leadership! Prayer and provisions for these transitions will insure God’s work will continue smoothly when the time of transition is at hand.
Things to Come
Scripture reading for January 18th: Genesis 48-50
Leaders work for God during a time and a season. (Psalm 75:6-7) Jacob had lived a full life and he knew his time to depart was near! (Genesis 48:21) Jacob did not fear death, but had some things he wanted to leave with his children and grandchildren before he left this life. Great leaders always leave a legacy for their families! They know how to bless their children and pass on the blessing that they received by faith from the Lord. We can learn from them how to live successfully and also how to leave successfully!
“Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you, as one who is over your brothers, I give the ridge of land I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.”” (Genesis 48:21-22)
Israel left Joseph a word of prophesy and a piece of land. God would be with him! God would take him back to the land of his fathers. Although Egypt had been a place of refuge from the famine, it would not be his home. He had property that was given to him in the land of Canaan! What Joseph did not necessarily see was the nearly four hundred years that his family would dwell in Egypt. This word was given to him as a leader over his brothers, to inspire faith-filled and God directed leadership. God’s Word brings vision and is a light for our path! (Psalm 119:105)
Jacob called for his sons to gather around him so that he could tell them what would happen in the days to come. (Genesis 49:1) Jacob’s words to each of his sons brought either rebuke, correction, encouragement or a vision of what was to come. One son, Judah, was told that he was a “Lion’s cub”. He would have from his offspring One who ruled and all nations would obey Him! He would wash his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. (Genesis 49:10-12) From the perspective we have, this “ruler” is none other that Jesus Christ! He is known in heaven as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”! (Revelation 5:5) His robe is dipped in blood and His Name is the Word of God! (Revelation 19:13) Surely these are visions of things to come!