09/15/2023
This morning, as I dug into Daniel chapter 1, God posed an eye-opening question: "What can leaders glean from the third year of Jehoiakim's reign, when he was handed over to Nebuchadnezzar?" For those who might not know, Jehoiakim was a king who chose to disregard God's commandments and dismiss prophetic counsel. These poor leadership choices had devastating consequences for him and his people, leading to God allowing Nebuchadnezzar to invade Jerusalem.
As I pondered this, God shifted my thoughts to King Josiah, Jehoiakim's predecessor, who stood in stark contrast. Josiah was a leader who humbled himself before God, heeded divine directives, and inspired a national spiritual revival.
God then led me to see Pharaoh Neco as a divine course correction. When we deviate from God's path, He has ways to steer us back, not as punishment, but as realignment.
So, to my fellow leaders, here's the meat of it: Our decisions carry weight. Jehoiakim disregarded ethical guidelines, rejected wise advice, and focused on himself, ultimately affecting an entire nation. Do we want to be a Jehoiakim or a Josiah?
Today, let's make the decision to align ourselves more closely with God's will. His grace is always available to help us adjust our course. The message is clear: choose wisely and lead righteously. Let this be a catalyst for your leadership today.