1 Minute Daily Devotions
March 23, 2009
Solomon on Leadership IV: NETWORKING
"Without consultation, plans are frustrated. But, with many counselors they succeed." - Proverbs 15:22
President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair were often considered "soul mates." As the first Baby Boomer leaders of their nations, they also had similar political philosophies. People marveled at how well these two charismatic leaders got along. But it's also interesting to note that when George Bush succeeded President Clinton, Tony Blair reached out to him. The two also seemed to get along splendidly and worked together quite well. Blair proved that he was not just a friend of the President, but really, a friend of the United States.
There was a similar relationship between Solomon and Hiram, the king of the Phoenicians. Solomon recognized that he needed others to help him fulfill his mission. He needed people with insight and resources he did not have. The Phoenicians were great ship builders and a great seafaring people. Hiram had been a friend of King David and when he heard that Solomon was the new king, he reached out to him and offered his assistance. Solomon had enough humility as a leader to recognize that he needed not only people within his own nation, but people of other nations, people outside his place of responsibility. Good leaders reach out to others, collecting wisdom and support from every source available. Remember, God's Word tells us to seek wise counsel. It worked for Solomon, it will work for you.
Comments on this Devotion
From Grant on Mar 23rd:
I'm wondering if there is a not so subtle message here about how our new President just treated the British Prime Minister during his recent traditional "first visit to the new U.S. President" by our closest ally.
You can tell a lot about a person by the friends he has. In my own recent financial struggles, for instance, it has been both warming and disappointing to see how various "friends" have reacted. It has also made me more cognizant of my responsibility to my friends when they are in times of need.
From clinT on Mar 23rd:
Is this a call for a one world currency and then followed by a one world government. This economy crisis was deliberately created. The end times scenerio is falling into place, just like God wrote it in the Bible.
From JCO on Mar 23rd:
Do you guys actually WANT the world to come to an end?
From Grant on Mar 23rd:
Which world is that, JCO? The one that exploded into existence from nothing? Nothing would be more consistent with Darwinism, than for evolution to end that way. Random selection taken to it's logical conclusion.
From Keith R. on Mar 24th:
Do we want the world to end? My selfish side absolutely cannot wait for this world to end. As soon as that happens, whether it just ends for me or for everybody, I will be with Jesus.
However, I guess if I'm going to be a good Christian then it is not all about me. If the world ends for just me right now then there will be one less person to take the gospel to those who need it. If the world ends for everyone right now then there are a lot of people who are going to die and go to hell. I truely thank the Lord that it is not up to me and does not matter what I want, He has got it under control. As ClinT says, the end times are near whether you want them to be or not.
Back to the devotion. We should "be as one" as Jesus prayed for in John 17 and as it is suggesting in this devotional. More is better in this case. We need each other so we don't become complacent, luke warm and politically correct.
We need more leaders like Paul who didn't care if he offended you or hurt your feelings because he cared more that you did not die lost.