"Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

II Chronicles 1:8, NIV 

 

We now know that Solomon was told by God to ask for anything he wanted, and we know of the excellent choice he made in choosing wisdom. But, how many of us know that we have the same opportunity offered to us today? 

 

It's true that not many of us will ever lead a country, but we all are leaders of men in our own ways. For example. if you are a parent, you are a leader. If you own your own business or supervise people in somebody else's, you are a leader. If you are a teacher or coach, you are a leader. The list could go on and on, but you see the point: You will at some time or other be responsible for leading and influencing those around you.

 

And, like Solomon, you cannot hope to be a good leader without the help of God. What parent among us does not think of that huge responsibility given them by God to raise their children well? Often we do a good job with things like providing them adequate shelter, ensuring a proper education, and even with instilling them with a sense of discipline and responsibility, but these things are not enough.

 

Why, you might wonder. Because whether you believe it or not, some day you will kneel before God and give an account for how you led the people in your circle of influence, and our main job as a servant of God is to lead those we are responsible for in a spiritual way. That spiritual way is called wisdom, and you cannot get this kind of wisdom from the world - you have to go to the source of wisdom and that source is God. 

 

But as important as understanding that we will be held to account for how we lead others, there is a more critical factor than that. These people we lead have eternal souls and they will spend an eternity in either heaven or hell! What decent parent among us could bear to see their child end up apart from God for all eternity because they were not trained right in the spiritual area of their life?

 

It's a huge responsibility to lead, but God offers us help by way of one of the greatest gifts that could ever be given, if we will only accept that gift. It is the gift of Solomon: wisdom! You don't believe that? Then consider these promises:

 

"Ask and it shall be given you..."  

Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 7:7, NIV

 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

James 1:5, NIV

 

Today is the 26th day of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of the champions and the kings, with II Chronicles 1-8 being the reading for today. May God richly bless you as you seek His gift of wisdom so that you can lead those that He has given you to lead!