Leadership - 4. The Law of the Navigation

[Jayyycuuup]

1 Kings 3-13 (Chapters) Solomon was promised the throne after David, he obtained this promise through his mother, for David said to her, "Your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne." Being bound by his word and swore by the LORD God of Israel, he followed through. King Solomon married the Pharaohs daughter and walked in love for God, in statues of his father David. Now, the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place, and he offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream and said unto him, "ASK! What I shall give you?" And Solomon asked the LORD for understanding to discern judgement. The LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked of this and gave him according to his words, with that God gave him great riches, telling him if he walked as David walked He would lengthen Solomons days. Now there came a day, when the LORD's wisdom was shewn through Solomon, two harlots came upon him and both claimed to have the only living son between them. One had died and the other had lived. So the king said for them to retrieve a sword and to bring it to him, and they did. He said to divide the child so that each woman would have a part of the child. The first women yearned with compassion and said, "O my lord, give her the living child by no means kill him!? But the other said, "Let him be neither mind nor yours, but divide him." After hearing this, Solomon gave the child to the first women, saying that she was the mother. After this, all of Israel feared the king for they knew the LORD abide in him, administering justice. God gave Solomon wisdom exceedingly, and this was beyond the wisdom of any man East to Egypt. Solomon continued in the LORD and held feasts in His name, along with many buildings. During the assembly of Israel, Solomon spoke of many things, in wisdom and in love of the LORD. Concerning this and after Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD, God appeared to Solomon and told him that He had heared his prayer, and if he walked as David walked He would bless him, establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever, but if he or his sons turned their back on God, then He would cut off Israel from the land which He had given him, that He would cast off the house given unto Him out of His sight. The LORD also directed the children of Israel not to intermarry, but loving many foreign women along with his wife, Solomon did not take heed of this notion, little did he know that it was for Solomon along with others sake, that these women will turn them from the LORD and lead them to into adultery. Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD and had 700 wives and 300 concubines, these women turned his heart from God. The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned and because of the God would tear the kingdom away from him, but for the sake of David, the LORD would do so to Solomons offspring, leaving only one tribe of which He will choose.

After 1 Kings, we come across Ecclesiastes, where Solomon depicts the forsaking of God, and how no riches, nor love life is worth losing the LORD. He speaks of foolishness in his days and how much work he did was in vanity, he practically pleads with us to understand how his ways were corrupt and to learn from him, not to forsake the LORD, to remember our Creator! Telling us to KEEP God's commandments and to fear HIM for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgement including every secret thing, weather good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, Fear the God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgement, Including every secret thing, Weather good or evil.

Wow, so much power in this. To me, Solomon is saying do not be like me, learn from my mistakes and do not forsake God, every thing you do, you say, will be brought before the LORD and be held against you, for every good or evil thing, you will be accountable for. My soul longs to do good in the sight of God, but like a fleshy being I fail, but what encouragement I have after reading and studying this. Took a long time to write out but praise the LORD, after doing such I have learned so much to carry on with me.

Despite Solomon turning away from God, he truly is a figure to relate to and to learn from. In 1 Kings, we learn about the greatness of God and how He fulfills His purpose over the "obligations" of mankind. There was to be a King other than Solomon, but God had instore for Solomon to reign after David, and it surely happened! David had swore by the LORD that it would be so, and by this he was bound by it, fulfilling the plan of God which mind you is inevitable Just as in the book of Jonah, there is no running from the LORD, weather you like it or not, if God tells you to do it, you either A.) Faithful do it and are honored to be given a command by God or B.) Run in fear of pride and humiliation, and in the end do it anyways. To me, option A sounds much more appealing as you not only gain faithfulness and grace but you also obtain favor.

I can not really follow in the PLAN AHEAD sequence, for King Solomon did navigate from God, but one thing I think should be made clear, and that is, not picking apart Solomon for a few reasons. First off he was apart of Gods will and plan, second he is a figure whom we can learn so much of, also, those same lust and attributes he obtained are all in us. Last but not least Solomon teaches us a great and beautiful song, which is known as as the Song of Solomon, in this song he teaches us to seek out our Beloved (Jesus Christ) like a lover, relentlessly and without loss. Like all of us, Solomon had his own issues, his own interpersonal lusts and desires that should have been put away but rather consumed him, he forsook the law and commandments given to him by the LORD and for that he was ashamed, which brought forth Ecclesiastes, in terms one can differ that their sins are not as bad or compelling as his, but sin is sin. The bible tells us that when we sin, we are held as slaves to that sin, and that is what happened to Solomon. His desires soon departed from the LORD and was overcome by his own lust, he was deceived by the beauty of women and lost track of the light, good became bad and bad became good. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon (and elsewhere) pleads with us to do the works of God continually, being in prayer to lift us up and to overcome our burdens through Christ, taking upon the whole armor of God and most importantly Jesus Christ as our LORD AND SAVIOR. So this leads me to my ending statement, and I want you to think about this, you don't have to share it but really think about it, what sins are you hiding and storing away? What secret things and burdens are troubling you? Once redeemed through Christ we are no longer burdened for we are made a new creation, no longer does the sin enslave us. I know I have my own struggles and Christ is helping me through them, truly He is. But along this path He has been driving into my head that I must give it ALL up to Him, every ounce of my heart mind and soul, every thing, I must say Jesus I am powerless to commit myself from this, only you can take away this burden and this shame, or "baggage" that I am carrying. And He ABSOLUTELY will, now I ask you one final thing, what haven't you given up, or committed FULLY to Christ?

God bless you!

[GoldenEagle]

4. The Law of Navigation: C. Joshua Balances Faith and Planning

Joshua 8:1-29

The Christian walk is all about balance - not leaning too heavily on legalism or grace. When does human planning get in the way of trusting God for Results?

Or conversely, when does faith become presumption, expecting God to do for us what we must grab hold of ourselves?

All Christian leaders and by extension Christians in general must learn the proper balance between divine faith and human preparation. I have been under Christian leaders who shoot from the hip. Nothing is really planned and the results are up to God. This can be difficult for those following to understand both the direction and vision of the ministry/organization. I have also been under leaders that way over-plan and have little flexibility. A balance is key would you agree?

Joshua and the Israelites had been defeated in Joshua chapter 7. Joshua demonstrates a beautiful balance in Joshua chapter 8 as he prepares a second attack on the city of Ai. Joshua starts out his plan the right way - He begins by asking the Lord whether his army should attack, and if so, when. God ordered the attack and instructed Joshua to set an ambush, but gave no further details. Joshua planned the particulars of the campaign, each step under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Joshua divided his troops into two divisions and told one to stage an attack on the city. The other group was to wait in ambush until the men of Ai came out. As the men of Ai chased their attackers, the ambush could close in and allow the Israelites to set the city on fire. The plan worked quite well. When the men of Ai saw the smoke rising above their homes, they lost heart and quickly fell in battle to Isreal. This shows the importance of following God and also the principle of Momentum. (One of the Laws that we will discuss eventually is that of The Big Mo – Momentum)

Do you see the synthesis of the divine guidance and human strategy? Joshua placed his faith in God for the results, but did not hesitate to lay wise plans and execute them.

How do we apply this story to our lives? What is the lesson learned here?

God bless,

GE