Devotion for Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013 Podcast: Subscribe A Wise Leader Read Ecclesiastes 8:1–17 A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance. Ecclesiastes 8:1 Abraham Lincoln’s face is among the most well-known of the American presidents. He led the nation during a time of political dissent and civil war. “The Great Emancipator,” as he was called, will forever be remembered for both saving the Union and freeing the slaves. He was noted for his self-confidence and ability to listen well. This quote is often attributed to him: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” Ecclesiastes 8 describes the limitation of earthly leadership, and it contrasts again the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Wisdom is a desirable quality and can actually alter one’s appearance. How do we respond to earthly leaders, wise or foolish? First, we are to respect authority (v. 2). Second, questioning leadership should be done carefully and cautiously. Some commentators think that the passage suggests it is better for believers to avoid getting too quickly caught up in political causes and protests. Certainly it is better to wait for the “proper time and procedure” (vv. 4, 5). This phrase is repeated for emphasis. There is a proper time and way to influence leadership. This advice on how to live under the rule of earthly leaders is followed by an explanation. Why should governmental authority be respected, even if it is faulty? Solomon realized that only God knew the future. We must recognize the earthly limitations of any human leader. Life on this earth will never be completely fair. True justice may seem elusive. The wicked will often go unpunished, and the righteous will suffer. Even the greatest leader has limited ability to comprehend “what goes on under the sun” (v. 17). Note the contrast between human effort and what God has done. Today, make a list of your leaders: president, vice president, congressmen, governor, and mayor. Pray for each of them, that God will enable them to lead your city, state, and country in a wise and just manner. When your heart is troubled about a governmental issue, ask God to give you the proper time and way to make your concerns known.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 01:31:49 +0000
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