SOAP 05/12/2012; 2 Samuel 23:3-4

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 21, 22, 23; 1 Thessalonians 1
     
S)"³ “The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me,
'He who rules over men righteously,
Who rules in the fear of God,
⁴ Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
When the tender grass springs out of the earth,
Through sunshine after rain.'"
     

2 Samuel 23:3-4 (NASB)

     

O) This is such a firm, but beautiful reminder of what it means to lead. Being in charge is not about getting your way. Leading is not about giving orders. God wants a leader who is ruling righteously and who rules in the fear of Him. This is the kind of leader people will follow faithfully, because then he becomes as hopeful as the morning light, as inspiring as a clear sky, as renewing as fresh grass that shoots up and as refreshing as sunshine after rain.
     

A) This is the kind of husband I want to be. This is the kind of father I want to be. When my wife and kids think of me, I want them to know, that they know, that they know that I fear God and that I am striving for righteousness in everything I do, especially in how I lead my family. When they think of me, I want them to think of morning light, sunrises, clear skies, spring grasses, and sunshine after rain. In order for me to become this to them, I must resemble a king who rules righteously in fear of God. So, I must humble myself daily, acknowledging God's sovereign power and might, His holiness, and His justice and mercy, and I must submit myself fully to His will. Every day. Without fail.

     

P) Father, Your righteousness is too much for me alone. In Your grace I found mercy. In Your grace, only through the renewal I have in Christ, am I able to come before You. Forgive me of my sins, LORD. Cleanse me from my unrighteousness and strengthen me to uphold Your holy standard. You are great and mighty, God, and I am completely helpless without You. Aside from Your hand, I am destitute; aside from Your strong arm, I am defeated. Holy Spirit, lead me in the will of my Father. I am unable to bear the burden to lead anyone on my own. I can only do it according to Your will, God. Let me be this good ruler that King David described. Let me be this good ruler to my family, God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.