Devotional - June 14, 2004

Our nation just honored and buried a revered President who, regardless of what you thought of his politics, was respected by both friend and foe. Now, within the next few days an eight-hundred page biography of another President is to be released. Unlike the other man, this former President is generally distrusted by friend and foe alike.

No doubt the many pages of this new book will reveal even more vile things done in office than previously known - all for the sake of selling books. One might think that we Americans have learned that good character is far more important than any political position when it comes to choosing a President. At least that's what one might think...

Jeroboam saw what happens to a man, even if that person's a man of God, when he fails to listen and strictly comply with God's instructions. But instead of learning from the experience, Jeroboam continued his evil ways and appointed men of questionable character to positions of authority within his administration. He consecrated anyone with a desire to serve in a priestly position - set apart to lead worship. (1 Kings 13:33-34)

Scripture tells us this act was the sin that led to Jeroboam's downfall and the destruction of his family. This is amazing when you consider his sin was assigning ungodly men to lead in the worship of false gods? The high places were areas set apart to worship and honor heathen gods, not Jehovah.

One of the basic tenets of Christianity is that there's no right way to do a wrong thing. But we can learn from Jeroboam's experience that it doesn't matter what you do - good or bad, when you won't listen to God.

No doubt, character does count, but honor and integrity count more. And according to God's word, obedience is even more important than any of those other things. In fact, character doesn't really matter unless you have God's respect. And when you've got God's respect, He can teach you what else you need to know.

God, give us men of character to lead us; men who will honor God above everything, especially political agenda and desire to create a good legacy. After all, the only legacy that really matters is what God thinks of you.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1 Ki. 12:20-13:34 Ac. 9:26-43 Ps. 132:1-18 Pr. 17:6 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society