Sunday, May 5, 2013

GODLY CHARACTER IN LEADERS

Suggested Reading: 1 Kings15-16

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

At the entrance to the modern city of Jerusalem is the Light Rail Bridge, known as the Jerusalem Chords Bridge. It was built in 2008 and symbolizes King David's harp.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 1 Kings 15:11 & 14b

Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David……Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days.

Here’s some encouragement for us all. While kings who did evil in God’s eyes came and went with frequency in the northern 10 tribes, now called Israel, Asa, King of Judah, remained constant for 41 years. Character, formed by a rock-solid determination to always do what is right, will win in the long run. Often there are difficult times for the person who fervently desires to please the Lord, and sometimes it seems that a short cut would be advantageous, but we must resist. We need to ask God to harden our backbones, keeping us upright in all our decisions and deeds.

What a marked contrast between Asa in the south and Ahab in the north. “Ahab did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him” (1 Kings 16:30). Nevertheless, God had a plan! We are about to witness the arrival of a firebrand prophet in the north by the name of Elijah. Even in the face of danger and threats to his life, Elijah stood against the wickedness of King Ahab.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, someone asked, “Where is the God of Elijah?” The answer came back, “He’s waiting for an Elijah to call on Him!” I’m calling on You Lord God! Others are calling on You! I pray that You will continue to show Yourself strong through me and others. In the Name of Someone greater than Elijah, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!!!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Yesterday I wrote of President Ronald Reagan. Today I want to refer to our second Canadian Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Alexander Mackenzie. He was solidly converted to Christ back in Scotland before he came to Canada. As our first Leader of Canada’s Loyal Opposition, he was involved in the negotiations with Britain for our peaceful separation from the Empire. I’ve had the privilege to lecture on Mackenzie’s life to political parties, the most recent, I extolled the virtues of this man before the Law Society of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Here’s just one story about this godly leader.

Prime Minister Mackenzie arrived at his office at 7:00 a.m. each morning. The Prophet Daniel, Mackenzie’s political hero, prayed with his window open each day (Daniel 6:10-13). Mackenzie, with the door open and on his knees, would pray out loud for God’s blessings on Canada for a new day. This was repeated at noon and again before he left for home at 7:00 in the evening. His staff, who were expected to arrive before him in the morning and leave after him at night, would gather around the door to listen to the Prime Minister pray. All Canadians need to know that this may be one of the main reasons why Canada has been blessed so greatly.

Yours for living “right in the eyes of the Lord,”

David

Rt. Hon. Alexander Mackenzie, 1822-1892. Canada's second Prime Minister from 1873-1878.

13 thoughts on “Sunday, May 5, 2013

  1. Days of Elijah by Robin Mark

    These are the days of Elijah,
    Declaring the word of the Lord
    And these are the days of Your servant, Moses
    Righteousness being restored
    And though these are days of great trial
    Of famine and darkness and sword,
    Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
    ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’

    Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
    Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
    Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee,
    And out of Zion’s hill, salvation comes.

    These are the days of Ezekiel,
    The dry bones becoming as flesh;
    And these are the days of Your servant David,
    Rebuilding a temple of praise.
    These are the days of the harvest,
    The fields are as white in Your world,
    And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
    Declaring the word of the Lord!

    Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
    Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
    Lift your voice, its the year of jubilee,
    And out of Zion’s hill, salvation comes.

    There’s no God like Jehovah. There’s no God like Jehovah.
    There’s no God like Jehovah. There’s no God like Jehovah.
    There’s no God like Jehovah. There’s no God like Jehovah.
    There’s no God like Jehovah. There’s no God like Jehovah!

    Wishing all saints wonderful worship this morning to our Lord!

  2. Thanks for your message, David, about our second Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie, praying on his hands and knees in his office, three times a day for God’s blessing on Canada. That is so meaningful!. The words of ‘Oh Canada’ come to mind. ‘God keep our land, glorious and free. Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee. Oh Canada! we stand on guard for thee.’

  3. Thank you for sharing the story about our second Prime Minister, David. Thank God for godly leaders like him and his prayers are still being answered. Leaders and nations need our prayers too, especially Israel and Syria right now. Thanks Beverlee for the song, “Days of Elijah. The words relate to our reading right now. Lovely day in the Maritimes.

  4. Blessings to all as we prepare to go to our places of worship.
    Thank you once again David for your faithfulness in getting out our daily feeding from The Word and your prayers and expounding of the verses we read.
    Thanks too for reminding us what a godly man Alexander Mackenzie was and how his workers stood beside the door to listen!! Oh to have more of these godly men/women today.
    Beverlee I love that song and wish we would sing more of such songs in our congregations today. Let’s be on our knees for all nations.
    Glory to The Lamb who paid it ALL?

  5. Dear David and fellow bloggers
    Thank you David and everyone for your uplifting words .Lets all head to our worship
    congregation and united give thanks to our Perfect Lamb Jesus Christ puting on the alter all our petitions and giving Him all the Glory until His return
    Have a blessed day xxxx.

  6. It’s comforting to know of our political leaders in prayer and disconcerting to think some are not. I pray for our leadership. Enjoy this day!

  7. Once again such an uplifting blog David M. as we read about Asa. I so enjoyed the information on Alexander Mackenzie. We need more godly men like him in government today, and in those who stand behind him.

  8. awesome photo Reynold, of the Jerusalem Chord Bridge that symbolizes King David’s harp. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

  9. Lets all pray for our leaders, Premier’s and Prime Minister for this is what God
    asks us to do,My prayer is that our leaders would Would be close to our Lord
    Thank you David M. and thankyou bloggers for all your input on this blog it is
    so interesting helpful in understanding the scripture God bless you all…..R…

  10. Hi David, Thank you for the information about what a Godly man Canada’s second Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie was. Looking at the photograph of him, l can see that sparkle in his eyes l have seen in the eyes of many others who spend a lot of time in our Lord’s presence.

  11. “I believe that it might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether as ready to follow as to lead, when the Spirit makes it clear that a more wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared.”
    (A.W. Tozer)

  12. Thank you David for sharing that piece of Alexander Mackenzie, it spurs me on to be more intentional in my prayer life. Thank you fellow bloggers for your comments.I gain so much from yours insights!!! God bless each one today!!!

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