1 Samuel 15:20-22
“And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”
INSIGHT
-Last week we evaluated the different categories of political participants, and the link between church and politics. This week we will discuss leadership after God’s hearts, and this will guide us in different levels of political participation, as we seek the will of God. Leadership after God’s own heart was ordained and identified by God Himself at the time of David’s promotion. King Saul was instructed to destroy everything and everyone during the conquest between Israel and the Amalekites, but he spared the best of livestock and king Agag. It is true that king Saul partially obeyed the voice of God by going for battle, and the Lord still disapproved of his leadership. We note that, partial obedience is still disobedience. Earlier, king Saul had offered a sacrifice in place of Samuel the priest and prophet, in anxiety that his kingdom would be destroyed by the Philippines (1 Samuel 13:14). King Saul delighted himself in appeasing God by sacrificing burnt offerings, but the Lord desires obedience more than sacrifice. Therefore, king Saul lost his rulership to king David. Obedience is prime to being a leader after the heart of God. Disobedience has been likened to the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry, and false religion (1 Samuel 15:23). Therefore, obedience and humility also shows true faith in God. We are called to seek the will of God and obey His will in all circumstances. Just like David who sought the Lord and did His will, we are called to fully obey the will of God. Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that we should not rely on our own ways for it may seem right but it’s end may lead to death or undesirable results. As leaders, God calls us to seek His will and direction always, for it is the Lord who places us in leadership position. We note that we are all leaders but in different spheres; in our professions, our families, our communities, societies, churches, etc. As voters we should ask for the will of God to prevail and in our election, and vote for the right leaders. We should also train our hearts to obey the law of the Lord like David always asked God to teach him His ways and to help him to fear the name of the Lord (Psalms 86:11, psalms 25:4).
PRAYER
Abba Father we thank You. You have been a good God. You have been a faithful Friend and Father. You have taken good care of us. You have provided for us, protected us, preserved us, sanctified us, healed our wounds, guided our steps and given us peace. May Your peace prevail in our lives, homes, families, relationships, marriages, work places, schools, and nation, Prince of Peace. May You guide our steps this entire week and month, and lead us in the way that we should go. Some ways may seem right to us but they may lead to death, may You show us Your ways of righteousness and life. May You guide our steps and shepherd us in all our decisions. Teach us to fear You and to obey Your will fully dear Jesus. Teach us to do Your will Holy Spirit. As leaders in various levels, may You guide us with Your wisdom. As voters, may You show us Your desired choice during the coming general elections. May You cleanse us and wash us from all iniquities. May You teach us to love You and follow You with all our hearts. All glory, honor, power and praise belongs to You dear Jesus, now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Proverbs 16:25, Revelation 13:15
1 Samuel 30:22-25
“Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.” But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.”
INSIGHT
-King David fought many battles and he was keen to enquire of the Lord before going for war. When they were attacked at Ziklag, the Amalekites took their women and children captive, stole their livestock and other valuables. David and the entire Israel were distressed and they cried to the Lord, who gave them victory. They recovered all that they had lost and got much more from the conquest. The men who went for war were not willing to share the spoils they recovered from the enemies camp, and expressed greed. David was a noble and selfless leader. He cared for the needs of all people, rich and poor alike, widows and orphans. His heart was after God’s heart. He distributed the spoils to Bethel, Ramoth, Jattir, Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, Rachal, Chorashan, Athach, Hebron, and to all Judah. David demonstrated godliness as he had a heart of sharing. 1 Timothy 6:10, reminds us that the love of money is the root of all evil. Our nation suffers from corruption and injustice to the poor. Some men and women rise to power and seize every available opportunity to plunder public resources. Others like king David make use of public resources to provide social amenities and empower the less fortunate. Nations like Dubai have a public policy to offer free healthcare, and other social amenities for free to their citizens. They have adopted some key Biblical principles in running the affairs of their nation, despite most of them being Muslim. They church in Acts sold their valuables and distributed to each one according to their needs (Acts 2:45). Some churches have opened their treasury to money laundering, and misleading doctrine to gain financially from their congregants. Jesus in Matthew 21:13 says that, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.” We are reminded that godliness with contentment is great gain, for we came with nothing to this world and we will depart with nothing (1 Timothy 6:6-7). As we lead our lives, we are called to exercise godliness by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto us. As we vote we are reminded to vote for selfless leaders who hearts are after God’s own heart.
PRAYER
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He Who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Lord You are the Rock of our salvation, we look to You for all wisdom. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You for You are the Creator and our Father. You are the One who gives us power to make wealth, and we are Your custodians. May You elevate us from one glory to the next and teach us in all godliness. We submit our hearts desires unto Yours, knowing that You will provide for all our needs. May You teach our hearts to be still and we shall know that You are God, and You will be exalted among the nations, and in the earth. May You teach our hearts to wait on You in all situations. May You train our hearts to be compassionate and loving to the poor, widows and orphans, for the glory and honor of Your name. We repent for the many times we have exulted money before You Lord and exercised pride in our hearts. May You forgive us and renew our minds so that we may see You through Your blessings upon our lives. May You forgive us, our families, churches and nation for corrupt ways. May You give us selfless leaders whose hearts will follow Your will without wavering in the way of corruption and pride. May You bless the work of our hands and make us fruitful. May You give us the ability to make wealth and to always do Your will. May Your name be exulted in this nation and the entire world. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-11
2 Samuel 11:4-5
“Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”
INSIGHT
-David was a great leader but he had a fair share of shortcomings. One evening as he was walking on his roof top, he saw Bathsheba bathing, and lusted for her. Although he had many wives, they did not satisfy his lust. The lusts of the flesh is not easily satisfied as it primarily causes rebellious assertions of self. 1 John 2:16 reminds us that, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Even though David sinned he repented. A leader after God’s hearts realizes his/her sinful nature and repents seeking God’s grace. 1 John 1:8-9 says that, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We are reminded to seek God’s mercy and grace always, as we repent our sins, and He is faithful to forgive us. We are also called to fear the Lord abs do what is right in His eyes. We are always reminded to seek after the love of God and do good, as we forgive one another just as Christ forgave us.
PRAYER
We come to Your throne of grace dear Jesus, that we may obtain grace and mercy to help us during this time of need. May You create in me a clean heart, Oh Lord and renew Your steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. We repent our sins, sins of our families, sins of our leaders, sins of our churches, and those of our nation, may You forgive us and wash us with Your precious blood merciful Savior. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 51:1-19, Ephesians 4:29-32
1 Samuel 17:36-37
“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
INSIGHT
-David was a courageous leader and he acknowledged God during his reign. When Goliath came out to challenge the army of Israel, everyone was afraid of the nine foot giant. Even king Saul was dismayed and greatly afraid (1 Samuel 17:11), just like everyone else. Previously, David had killed a lion and a bear, and was counting on God to silence Goliath. David was keen to always glorify the Lord for his victories. We experience different giants today. Probably; loss of a job or business, suffering from a disease, divorce and separation, discouragement, depression, financial challenges, delays etc. The Lord is calling us to be strong and courageous for He will go with us wherever we go, just like he encouraged Joshua (Joshua 1:9). David completely relied on the Lord, as his light and salvation, his stronghold and therefore he was not afraid (Psalm 27:1). We are also encouraged to be strong and to take heart for we hope in the Lord (Psalm 31:24).
PRAYER
Lord You are the rock of our salvation, our stronghold, in whom we put our trust. All our hope and trust is in You Lord our God. We shall not be dismayed. We shall not be moved, for all our hope and trust is in You Lord our God. Lord You have not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and sound mind. Lord You are our shelter and shield, may You increase in us the grace of courage so that we may take on the giants in our lives. Grant us the strength to succeed in everything that we do and to fulfill the purpose for which You have called. May You cover us with Your precious blood, and may You guide us in everything that concerns us and our nation. We praise You dear Jesus and worship You. It is in Jesus mighty name we pray trusting and believing. Amen
Further reading: 1 Chronicles 28:20, Isaiah 41:10
2 Samuel 2:4
“Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.”
INSIGHT
To become a leader after God’s heart, we need to have faith in God. David showed that he had faith in God. He believed that God was in control. God had promised that David would be king, though he wasn’t king yet. Even though he had two opportunities to kill king Saul, he trusted in God’s faithfulness and waited for his appointed time. He waited for approximately fifteen years after he was first anointed by Samuel, for king Saul to die and inherit the kingdom.David trusted that God would continue to keep His promises, that He is never late. Even during our weakest point, we are called to trust God for when we are weak then we strong for Christ’s power is made manifest through us.
SUMMARY
This week we have covers leadership after Gods own heart with an example of King David. The Bible records events of God choosing David a leader after His heart twice (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). Firstly, David was obedient to the statutes of the Lord. As opposed to Saul who was more concerned with offering sacrifices, David was devoted to the law of the Lord (1 Samuel 15:20-22). Therefore a leader after God’s heart fears the Lord and does His will, and God the Holy Trinity comes and forms a home with him/her (John 14:23). Secondly, David enquired of the Lord before going for battle. When the Amalekites had taken their wives, children and valuables, David and his men went against them and conquered. As opposed to the popular option to keep for themselves what they had gained from the Amalekites camp, David was willing to share with the entire Judah (1 Samuel 30:22-25). A leader after God’s heart is not corrupt and shares resources equally. Thirdly, king David realized that he is a sinner and repented. When he took Uriah’s wife and orchestrated his death, he asked for mercy from the Lord (2 Samuel 11:4-5). He was also devoted to worship and prayed to God, and appointed worship leaders (1 Chronicles 16:7-43). David was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he did not desire to grieve Him. A leader after God’s heart is filled and guided by the Holy Spirit. Fourthly, king David was bold and courageous. When he went to deliver food to his elder brothers in the battle field, David heard Goliath insulting the Israelites and they were all afraid. He took the bold step and destroyed the uncircumcised giant, giving honor to God. Last but not least, king David had faith in God, and knew that He is a promise keeper and He would deliver him from all troubles. In our own lives, we are called to apply these leadership traits and we will have victory in our affairs. As we elect leaders, we should look for a man or woman after God’s own heart.
PRAYER
We give thanks to You Lord and continually call on Your name. Only You are great and greatly to be praised. We worship You Lord and make know Your accomplishments among the nations. We sing to You Lord and tell of Your miraculous deeds, and boast of Your holy name. We rejoice in You dear Jesus for we know You are turning our mourning to dancing. We celebrate Your name Ebenezer for You have done great deeds in our lives. We love You Lord, may You form our hearts that we be drawn to Your own heart. May You teach us to trust in You in all situations, and increase our faith. May You deliver us from all evil and make us courageous in all circumstances. May You fight for us all our battles and make us fruitful. Help us to share with the less fortunate and may You deliver all the street children from their trouble merciful Savior. May You forgive us all our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and wash us with Your precious blood. May You train our hearts to delight in You always Lord and fill our hearts with rejoicing. May You bless us and keep us Lord. May You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You turn Your countenance towards us and give us Peace. Amen.
Further reading: Psalm 31:14-15, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14