The Bible provides incredible insights as to what happens to nations under good leaders and bad. The incentives to seek good leadership become obvious in the clear light of biblical history. However, it must also be noted that some leaders started off great and ended up bad while others came to recognize that their evil behavior brought harm to an entire nation. As result, some bad leaders changed course and became a blessing to the land.
For most of his reign, King Jehoshaphat was a very good leader in Judah. “He strengthened himself against” the neighboring border kingdom. He built fences and strong garrisons to protect his people from foreign invaders. Sometimes good fences do make good neighbors. The Bible declares that “the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of ” King David. Jehoshaphat was a good leader because he “sought not unto” the false gods pursued by many bad leaders who preceded him. In fact, he specifically pursued God and determined to walk “in his commandments” (2nd Chronicles 17:1-4).
The result of obeying the Lord was dramatic! God established the King’s place of leadership in the hearts of the people. The citizens brought him gifts and his kingdom was filled with honor and prosperity. This leader insisted that the knowledge of God be made known throughout his area of influence. That decision led to a most amazing national outcome. “The fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat” (2nd Chronicles 17:10).
In this moment of historic significance, can you imagine a circumstance where the Arabs would come humbly to the Jews and promise to not make war? Can you envision a situation where the sworn enemies of the Jews would shower Jerusalem with gifts as a show of their deepest respect? Could such a reversal of fortunes even be imagined? Well, that is precisely what happened when good a good leader turned ever closer to God and became an even better leader.
King Jehoshaphat removed the evil institutions from the land that were abhorrent to God. Then he instructed the religious leaders to make sure that the people of the land understood the basic commandments of God so that the nation could obey the will of the Lord. The result was that Jerusalem’s most ancient enemies—the Philistines, and even the Arabians brought vast treasures of silver, livestock, and gifts of tribute. The enemies of the Jews poured wealth into the Jewish nation because they feared what might happen if they failed to honor Jerusalem.
The knowledge of God’s Word is a protection from violence and defeat. Perhaps the best enemy is one smart enough to stay away. And the best defense is a healthy fear of the Lord. As believers, we should fear sinning against God. If we do, our enemies will fear coming against God. We can pray for a return to the time when “the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war.” The primary condition that must be met is that we must choose to live according to God’s commandments.
The only peace plan that ever worked between the Jews and the Arabs was when the Jews feared God and their enemies feared God’s retribution. Without the fear of God, all that remains is the fear of man. What seems impossible today already happened long ago and could be repeated if God’s people pray! God is well equipped to intervene. But we must turn to Him. We must repent and pray. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2nd Chronicles 7:14). Learn about the simple IF MY PEOPLE prayer challenge at www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org. We can make a difference. Pray!
Til next time, have a bloggin’-good day in the Messiah!
Shalom,
Randy Weiss
www.crosstalk.org
Tags: Bible Study Comments · Prayer Matters
To anyone who has been following my posts, you might be waiting for the horse I have been beating to kick his heels up and whinny “enough!” I have cited the same verse over & over again. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2nd Chronicles 7:14). And you might be tired of hearing about 40 days of prayer beginning September 1, 2010.
You might not even believe that prayer is the answer or that sin is the problem. You may be convinced that all of our problems are external, foreign, or economic. Well, even if that were true, our leaders need answers, we need God’s help, and our nation is in trouble.
I was recently dealing with a representative of our government employed in a project with which I was diligently involved. A problem arose requiring a meeting to resolve some manageable issues. When the meeting ended, I politely shook hands to leave. The individual turned to exit and as I was walking away I said, “God bless you.” As we parted, the person turned back to me and declared quite matter-of-factly, “I am an atheist.” Taken aback, I simply smiled and said, “I’m sorry.” Reflecting on the incident, I cannot honestly tell you whether I was sorry that my comment may have been unintentionally offensive, or if I was sorry another person willfully rejected God.
Please do not read more into this than was intended. There are many atheists in America. Many are professional, brilliant, and proud of their conclusions. I do not try to force my views on those who are not interested in my faith. Similarly, I do not have any expectation that others agree with me. In fact, as a Christian businessman operating secular businesses, I have worked with and employed countless individuals who have radical views compared to mine. For example, in different secular firms I have managed, I have employed homosexuals, adulterers, ex-cons, and people from many walks of life different than my own. We have enjoyed good working relationships as long as they were honest, responsible, and professional in their public demeanor within the workplace. Some of my most trusted employees have not been my most religious employees. A few of the most outwardly religious people have ended up being disappointing hires. A person’s professional presence is not measured by their public affirmations. And every person deserves a chance to prove the value of their private convictions by producing their highest and best contribution to the organization as they live out their life choices. Some work to the corporate good. Others do not. In America, it all comes out in the wash. That is a benefit to living in a free country. Agreement is not a requirement in secular pursuits. (The Church is an altogether different situation and Christian pursuits are not measured against the same rubric.)
Americans have the right to our religious, political, culinary, and extra-curricular preferences. But we must recognize that choices have consequences. As our nation has come to reject God and the 10 commandments, we have learned that more folks are able to justify murder, theft, perjury, adultery, greed, jealousy, lawlessness, and general godlessness. Is this a benefit or detriment to our well-being? If you reject God, perhaps godlessness is the goal. If you believe in God, perhaps this is the time to pray! We must cry out to the Lord for our nation. If you are willing to join with us, please visit http://www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org for more information. Let’s all pray that God will bless America!
Til next time, have a bloggin’-good day in the Messiah!
Shalom,
Randy Weiss
www.crosstalk.org
Tags: Bible Study Comments · General · God's Truth · Politics · Prayer Matters · Repentance
Finding time to write articles, blogs, books, and scripts requires a lot of rebalancing. After spending time preparing the research and writing the material, I am usually ready to move on and begin birthing the next project. By the time I have re-written, re-checked facts, revisited the source texts, and refocused my conclusions, the material rarely resembles my initial thoughts. But when done, I like to feel that I have not embarrassed myself or dishonored the Lord with my words.
And that is why I am not a terribly productive writer. I waste too much time trying to improve what I have written which leads to the inevitable sacrifice of quantity toward the elusive pursuit of quality. One example of this is that I have recently completed a book about the ancient sects of Judaism that existed during the time of Jesus. It is titled, JUDAISM THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS. The years invested in research and rewrites will never be recaptured and it is altogether possible that I might be the only person who even cares about the subject matter. But when finally published, I will feel confident that it was worth waiting for those final “revelations” e.g., I was able to include some last minute reflections on 1st century Samaritans. But who cares about the practices or problems of ancient Samaritan Jews besides modern Samaritans? Maybe nobody.
So what does this have to do with a short shelf-life blog? The very idea is an illusion. Words do not have a short shelf-life! I choose my words carefully because I will be held accountable for every idle word spoken (and posted). Jesus chose His words with diligent, careful intent when He said, “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV). Here’s a thought, perhaps infantile, suggestive, or damaging Facebook & Twitter comments can do more than impact one’s future employment opportunities.
But this reflection is not about someone else’s words. I have rethought my own. Something I wrote about King David was wrong. Please permit me to recant. Recently I posted, “God did not allow David to construct the Temple. Perhaps it was because David had killed thousands of enemy soldiers. Maybe it was due to his guilt for having the godly husband of his mistress killed. For reasons known best to God, the task was given to David’s son, King Solomon. ” See that post here.
In retrospect, God was clear and I was not. God explained without reservation (in at least 3 citations) that the reason for David’s disqualification was limited to his violent military prowess. In none of the references (1st Chronicles 22:8, 1st Chronicles 28:3, and 1st Kings 5:3 or even 1st Kings 8:19) was David’s adulterous relationship mentioned. And beyond my own suggestion that David was rejected because he had conspired to have Bathsheba’s 1st husband murdered, God made no mention of David’s adulterous relationship or the murder to which I alluded. Therefore, I owe God and my readers an apology. I do not know why David’s success on the battlefield made him unfit to build the Temple. But I do know that when God has forgiven a sin, that sin is no longer held to our account. To suggest otherwise was errant and it diminishes the grace of God. His sin was more grievous than almost any sin recorded in the Bible. And perhaps that makes God’s grace more glorious than almost anything that can be expressed.
To my older readers who pursue salvation after years of sinful indulgence, let me encourage you that what we did in our youthful ignorance will not be held against us once it has been hidden in the grace of God. We may carry the physical results of sin in weakened bodies or in the scars of relationships broken beyond repair. But the spiritual damage can be gloriously repaired at the moment of confession, repentance, and faith in the finished work of Jesus at the Cross. To younger readers, my encouragement is to seek the Lord early so that you do not waste your youth on things that will only disappoint. We do reap what we sow. Many of us live with regrets as a result. But I promise that God will direct you in the ways of life and you can find fulfillment in Him. Solomon’s wisdom has guided my steps since very early in my Christian walk. He wrote, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). He will direct your paths if you trust Him, obey Him, and humbly ask for God’s guidance.
With that I must conclude. I pray that our nation will turn from the sinful path we have chosen. I pray we will turn to God and repent for our pride and for our willful disobedience. And in keeping with that recent theme, I must ask you to join me in praying for America. Learn about the simple IF MY PEOPLE prayer challenge at http://www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org We can make a difference. Choose to pray daily during the 40 days beginning September 1, 2010. Pray for America!
Til next time, have a bloggin’-good day in the Messiah!
Shalom,
Randy Weiss
www.crosstalk.org
Tags: Prayer Matters · Repentance · Uncategorized
Hawaii is the only state I have never visited. I’m told it is exquisite. My family and I have traversed the remaining 49 States many times, including 9 trips to Alaska. (I’ve driven the Pipeline Road all the way to the Arctic Ocean! We’re hoping that with our 10th Alaska drive we might get a free windshield from the Alcan Highway welcome center J. I have traveled across the USA (and every province of Canada except PEI & Labrador) numerous times. I have preached my way across this great land and shared the Gospel with the most wonderful people on earth. I love America. I love Jesus.
Firsthand experience has taught me that our land is blessed. We have breath-taking mountains, bountiful lakes, fruitful farmlands, and awe-inspiring natural wonders. From the Gulf to the Arctic Ocean, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, our coastlines prove that God has blessed America.
And I believe God has blessed our people too. America is populated by an amazing mix of talented, gifted, dedicated, hard-working, resourceful individuals from every nation on the planet. Our cities fill the skyline with incredible structures of wondrously designed monuments to America’s industry, history, and culture. Our museums inform our lives. Our music and art enrich our lives. Our market-driven economy provides for the necessities of our lives. Our churches and synagogues bring meaning to our lives.
Recently, I visited Washington D.C. My son & I are building a Christian TV station to serve that market (pray for us!). Did you know there is no admission price to visit the Smithsonian Institute? It is free! We have already paid for it. We have all paid for the institutions of our Capital. So my wife and I decided to not waste the opportunity to see what we “bought.” It validates the blessings bestowed on America and the incredible ingenuity of the American people. I wish I could tell you that we also went to “our” National Zoo. We paid for that too. But we ran out of time before heading over to the TV tower site to see our new transmitter (and the plan for which we are still paying).
I mentioned the Smithsonian because it is nice that Americans can visit it without additional charge. We pay taxes. It is ours. It is very easy to forget that our citizenry funds our government to serve the people. It was never intended to be the other way around. The government does not fund our people to serve Washington D.C.
It is obvious to anyone who has ever visited America that God has blessed us with incredible natural resources. But our greatest resource is freedom and we can never allow that resource to waste away like oil in the Gulf or industrial waste in our rivers. People who love our environment serve to protect it from bad stewardship. But who is serving to protect our hearts and minds from the bondage of unrighteousness? Freedom is our divine right. But it will be lost if we fail to live as a people deserving of this gift from God.
Our founding fathers insured that this nation could serve God, love life, and enjoy freedom. Will we protect this freedom for our children? If so, we must repent. We must humble ourselves and pray. We must restore integrity in our private lives and our nation.
We all know that Moses led the Children of Israel out of slavery from Egypt. After Moses, God tapped Joshua to lead the people into the land of promise. Under Joshua’s leadership, they enjoyed the blessings of the Lord and victory over their enemies. Near the end of Joshua’s life, he challenged the people to remember from where they had come and to trust the Lord. Joshua declared, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The next generation responded in the manner that insured their preservation and freedom. “And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up . . . from the house of bondage” (Joshua 24:15b-17a).
It is time for our generation to make spiritual provision for the preservation of the next generation. Our national future and a generation are at stake. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. I challenge every reader to join me and the National Religious Broadcaster’s (NRB). We are committing to pray for America during the 40 days beginning September 1, 2010. Prayer is the answer to the national problems of our nation. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2nd Chronicles 7:14). For more information, visit www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org and pray that God will bless America!
Til next time, have a bloggin’-good day in the Messiah!
Shalom,
Randy Weiss
www.crosstalk.org
Tags: Prayer Matters · Repentance
There are good leaders and bad leaders. The worst leaders usurp power to “own” authority for selfish reasons. The best leaders hold power with a light grip and relinquish authority when the primary purpose of their service has been accomplished. They make way for greater leaders.
Leaders are often called to serve because of strong character, bold vision, and powerful skills to advance the purposes of those being served. Sometimes the people being served call them to stand in the gap or fulfill a felt need. Periodically, God calls a leader. King David was such a leader. He was directed by God to serve Israel as the nation grew into a powerful force for God’s purposes in ancient days. And when he grew old, David stepped aside for Solomon to achieve the goals for which he was called.
King Solomon gained unforgettable fame. He was known for his wealth, his wisdom, his power, and his international influence. He has impacted every generation since the time in which he lived. He was not a perfect man. He was not a perfect leader. But he got two important things right. If a leader wants to achieve success and lead to the blessings of those being served, Solomon’s example is worth studying. Since each of us has obligations to lead in different arenas (school, church, the workplace, our community, or even in government), I want to recount two important strengths known about Solomon.
When Solomon became king, he allowed no hubris to diminish his early effectiveness. In fact, he was very humble. Humility is a most valued quality. Solomon got that right. Some count it a sign of weakness. But with God, humility is a great strength. Evidence is easily seen throughout the 2nd chapter of 2nd Kings that Solomon was no pushover. But early in his administration, Solomon recognized that he was called to serve God and the people. Therefore he set out to build the Temple and to construct the walls of Jerusalem.
His second important strength was that he was a man of prayer. He was humbly dependent on God. This was his success. Everyone knows the legendary account of two mothers vying for a single infant. The wisdom of Solomon called for the child to be sliced in two so that each woman could be given half of the baby. Of course his judgment led to the true mother willingly giving up possession of the child. Thereby, the King was able to discern between the impostor and the rightful mother to receive the infant (1st Kings 3:16-28).
The source of Solomon’s leadership skills is the real focus of this message and I believe it remains the greatest need of our nation. Like Solomon, we need to humble ourselves and to pray. God came to Solomon in a dream. Solomon’s immediate response was, “O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in . . . Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad . . . And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing” (1st kings 3:7a, 9a, 10). Solomon was a powerful grown man leading a kingdom. But he knew that without God’s blessing and sovereign guidance he could not effectively lead the nation.
Can we humbly cry out to the Lord for our nation? Can we repent of our pride and our egregious sins? Can we remember the difference between good and bad and turn from bad to pursue good? Can we pray for our America? We must! The future of our land depends on the people of God. We must humble ourselves and pray.
The National Religious Broadcaster’s (NRB) has organized a national call to prayer for 40 days beginning September 1, 2010. Will you join us? America needs you! “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2nd Chronicles 7:14). For more information, visit www.ifmypeopleprayusa.org and pray that God will bless America!
Til next time, have a bloggin’-good day in the Messiah!
Shalom,
Randy Weiss www.crosstalk.org
Tags: Prayer Matters · Repentance
