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REFLECTION

“I’ve got the power” is the theme for our reflection. Power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events. It is also the possession of control, authority, or influence over others. The power referred to in today’s reflection is political power. After the reign of King Solomon, his son, Rehoboam was made King of Israel. The Israelites rebelled against King Rehoboam because he refused to listen to their pleas to lessen their burdens in the form of taxes. Consequently, the Kingdom was divided due to Rehoboam’s decision to increase the suffering of the people after His father’s reign. Jeroboam who was an advocate of the people and fugitive during the reign of King Solomon was made King by the majority of the Israelites who represented the ten tribes and the Northern Kingdom. Jeroboam became King of the remaining two tribes, Judah and Benjamin representing the Southern Kingdom. (1 King 12:1-24)

When Jeroboam was given the power to rule the Northern Kingdom, he misled the people spiritually by influencing them with his power as king to worship idols. “…Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. (1 Kings 12:26-31). In other words, Jeroboam used the power given to him by the people of the Northern Kingdom in a manner that led the people away from God. The critical lesson for our reflection is the fact that we must be good stewards of leadership and power. We must provide godly leadership to God’s people by making God the centre of our religious, political and national lives as believers. The fact that we have been made leaders does that mean we should lead people astray spiritually and morally. We must be prayerful and continually equip ourselves with the knowledge of His Word so that we will be guided by God’s divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Power is like alcohol, if we do not control it, we may become power-drunk and begin to take decisions which are not of God’s will for His people. If we have the power to lead or rule, let us listen or obey the voice of God and direct the people to worship and serve God “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, empower us to be good stewards of the power given to us to lead. Help our leaders to be godly in their governance and be filled with the fear and divine wisdom of God in directing the affairs of the nation. Amen.