Remember the day when leaders said things like “the buck stops here”(Truman) and “when you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat” (Reagan)?
And they meant it?
How about this one from General Douglas MacArthur? “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”
This nation has many people in leadership positions, but who is really leading?
There are many vying for our votes, hoping to be the next President of the United States. They all say they’re leaders. But in what way are they leading?
In my opinion, much of what’s taking place today is because there’s a lack of leadership. Of course, in a society that pretty much buys into the “you do your thing, I’ll do mine” mentality, who’s going to get in front of that train and say, “Whoa!”?
Only a leader.
But who wants to try and explain to the masses they’re heading the wrong direction, especially if it could cost them their job?
Only a leader.
Of course, it’s important for everyone to be accountable for their actions, say and do the right thing. No one gets a free pass, for we all will reap what we sow.
However, where nations, countries, or governments are concerned, it’s the leaders who are accountable to God.
In other words, those who stand and say, “I’m the leader”, will also have to give an answer to the One who put them in office and Who established governments in the first place.
And it’s the leader who must acknowledge before the Court of Heaven, “We have turned from Your ways, O God, to our own selfish ways. Forgive us, Righteous God, lead us in paths of righteousness. Protect us by Your might, Great God and King! In the Name of the matchless Son of God, Jesus. Amen.”
Throughout history, leaders such as Abraham, David, Jehoshaphat, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt faced impossible odds. But as they led their people with humility and repentance before the Lord, God wrought miracles for their nations.
Though God had plans to destroy a major metropolis in Jonah’s day, when the king heard the prophet’s message and led his constituents in full scale repentance, God stopped the planned destruction.
“The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, ‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.’
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:6-10 ESV)
Jeremiah wrote that the nation of Israel was being judged, exiled for 70 years in a foreign land.
Why? Because of Israel’s leaders. Her prophets, priests, and princes.
It’s the way God established governments from the beginning. He put them in place for the benefit of His people, but also reserved the right to change things if necessary.
And it’s beginning to look as though it’s necessary.
So will the leaders please lead? Will those who blow about all their qualifications, and why they deserve the highest office in the land, please just lead this nation in humbling ourselves before the Mighty God?
Please?
Before it’s too late.
Jan Grace 