Today’s Devotion
Topic: Leaders – Righteousness – Prosperity (Part 1)
We begin a new ‘self assessment’ series today on leadership and expectations of the said mandate to bring Prosperity. Gather the family around, let’s study the Word of God.
Background: In 1 Chronicles 28, we read that King David assembled all the officials and commanders of the land and informed them of his initial intention to build a temple for the ark of the Lord.
“But God said to me,” David writes, ‘‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’’ (vrs 3). He said to me (David continues): ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.’ (vrs 6).
With Solomon being so young and inexperienced, David, his father, put a lot of things in place so that Solomon does not fail in his reign and divine given mission.
This includes a special prayer he (David) said in Psalm 72 for Solomon. That will be our case study for the next 3 Saturdays. Let’s begin.
Text: Psalm 72: 1- 14
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. 6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
Questions:
- According to verse 1, David’s first desire for Solomon, is that the Lord endow him with HIS justice and righteousness. Why do think these two virtues are so important for a leader?
- He (David), again prayed that the king does not only receive the gifts of justice and righteousness, but actually be made to USE them govern God’s people:
a) Why do you think leaders must not be allowed to have a claim of any virtue if it does not reflect on them or impart their subjects?
b) And why is David calling the people Solomon is about to lead, GOD’S PEOPLE?
- In verse 3, David is calling for prosperity and fruit of righteousness to come from the mountains and hills respectively. Do you think TRUE PROSPERITY has anything to do with righteousness? Is there even a link between the two? Kindly explain your answer.
- Please read verse 4 again. Do you see this being practiced by leaders of the nations in our generation? Explain your answer please.
- Verse 5 talks about God helping Solomon have a legacy that will transcend generations. Why is a good legacy very important in governance?
- Verse 6 prays that Solomon becomes a complete blessing to the people like rain on a mown field. In what practical ways can a leader, be such a blessing to the people.
- When we should say Righteousness and Prosperity abounded during the reign of a particular leader, what are we implying please?
- What have you learnt from today’s discussion please?
Kindly share your answers with us on this same social media platform. Click and be blessed: https://youtu.be/XqjlV-hN9Pw. We shall continue next week.
(www.yonghana.org. Like our Facebook page: Y OUTREACH NETWORK)
