Finish The Race (I)

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 12

At the end of the life of king Solomon, he was succeeded by Rehoboam. Rehoboam was Solomon’s son nobody wanted as a king. In fact, he became the king over Judah out of compulsion while the remaining tribes cleaved to Jeroboam. Apart from the fact that Rehoboam inherited a divided kingdom from his father because Solomon’s action provoked God to prophesy that the kingdom will be divided, Rehoboam was not a wise king. He was faced with a decision to either relieve the burden on the people or otherwise. His council of elders advised him to consider the request of the people. But he did not listen to wise counsel. His decision to add more burden to the people made the remaining tribes secede. God’s willing, we will consider Rehoboam’s life in the future later.

Back to king Solomon. How could a king as wise as Solomon leave Rehoboam to succeed him? Solomon’s life teaches us a life lesson to consider about leadership. As a leader, it is important who takes over from you. Invest in people; pour yourself into others. Work towards producing people of quality so that at the end, you may have a good successor. Finally, Jesus Christ our perfect example invested in twelve disciples and more who proclaimed the gospel to the whole world.

Daily Confession: Help me to invest in people in Jesus name.

Intercessory prayer: Let’s continue to pray for God’s intervention in our countries.

Hymn: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand,

By faith on Heaven’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.