(Prov 28:2 MSG) When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it—But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.
This morning we continue our “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God” series. As a sitting head of state, Solomon was speaking from experience. However, I will have to say that his situation was much different than the current political climate in the United States. Solomon was a king, so he was not elected, he never had to run for office, he had no term limit, and he had no checks and balances. Solomon had sovereign authority, but he still made this statement. This tells me that even back then – before 24 news channels, political commentators, and unqualified-but-popular bloggers – people had something to say about national leaders.
This is an election year, so you can turn the television on at almost any time of the day and find something being said about the President or any other elected leader. Like Solomon says here, it seems like everyone has a plan to fix the economy, or Afghanistan, or … this or that, but the reality is that most people who make those comments don’t truly understand the entirety of the situation. Let’s use presidential candidates as an example. During their campaign they make all sorts of promises about what they will do once they take office. However, once they officially take the seat and they have access to information that they previously did not have access to, then they truly understand the complexities of the job. Once a new president has access to national intelligence, for example, it quickly dawns on him that many of the promises he made to the American people, during the campaign, will never come to pass, because those promises were made with partial information. This is just one example, but the same could be said for many areas of leadership. Once the leader has access to all the information and the weight of the decision is sitting on his/her lap, then the severity of the decision truly sinks in. Sure, from the outside looking in, people can say all sorts of things, but at the end of the day, it is the leader with the power to make the decision, who has to decide and in many cases he does so, knowing that he will be criticized for whatever the decision is, even though the criticizers don’t know all the information that went into making the decision.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Leadership, especially at the national level, is extremely challenging. The weight of the decisions our national leaders must make, on a daily basis, can take a toll (physically, mentally, and emotionally) on anyone.
2. Don’t criticize what you don’t understand. Whether nationally or close to home (in your office), make sure you are not the source of discord. This is not to say that you shouldn’t have an opinion, but make sure your opinion is informed, carefully considered, and helpful. This will keep you from making foolish statements about things you don’t understand.
3. Pray for your leaders. Both nationally and locally (i.e., your boss), pray for those in authority. The Father wants us to be a blessing, not a detriment, to our workplace and our nation. If some believers took half the energy they spend talking ABOUT leaders and invested it in praying FOR the same leaders, we would see divine change.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your Word. Your Word reminds me that I should not speak out against things I don’t understand. When there is a true issue on my heart, I research it first, I pray about it, and I think my thoughts through, before I make uninformed comments that will bring disgrace to me and You. When I speak, I speak from a position of authority, because I always make thoughtful, relevant, and helpful comments. I also thank You for reminding me to pray for my leaders. Both nationally and locally, I pray for my leaders. Instead of talking about them, I intercede for them. They are in their positions for a reason, and I ask You to bless them daily, so they can become the conduits of Your blessing. Lastly Father, I thank You for having blessed the United States of America and I ask You to continue to bless her richly. Lead us through our leaders, and manifest Your glory through our government. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
