1 Kings 3:9 “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Every leader with sense has prayed this prayer in some form at some time. It is those who think they’ve got it taken care of who are actually the foolish ones. It’s not that we aren’t to be assured and confident in what we are doing, but to do it right, there must be an underlying layer of humility that recognizes total dependence on God. Great damage has been done in many areas over the centuries by leaders who did not have that attitude, and it continues to happen today. That’s not to say that a leader who prays this prayer honestly is thereafter exempt from error; Solomon himself is an excellent case in point. I consider him one of the more tragic figures in the whole Bible, because he had such an excellent start, but he squandered it out of pride. He prayed this prayer at the beginning of his reign, but he didn’t maintain this attitude throughout his life. Perhaps he started believing what other people said about him! He recorded a great deal of truth in Proverbs, but he failed to apply it consistently in his own life, and in the end it was like ashes in his mouth, as we can see reading Ecclesiastes. Particularly successful leaders are in grave danger of believing their own press releases. Anyone who starts skimping on his own devotional life is setting himself up for disaster, regardless of how anointed their ministry seems to be.

This certainly applies to me, except that I haven’t had what most people would call a very “successful” ministry. Numbers are, as they have always been, small, but I don’t have wisdom in myself even for the few under my care! I have seen the Lord act through me in some very good ways, but it’s never been anything I could take personal credit for. He has given me speaking/verbal gifts, but I am always in danger of thinking that because I’ve said it, that means I’m practicing it faithfully. I’m not to stop speaking the Word, but my primary focus must be on applying, living out the Word myself, or I’m living a lie. (James 1:22) The Lord has given me influence, not only over the members of this church but over other ministers. I’m not up to that myself, and I must never forget that fact! I must walk in grateful humility at all times, knowing that if God could use Balaam’s donkey to speak to him, then He can use me to speak to people too. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m any better than a jackass. After all, my name is Jack!

Father, thank You again for Your grace and patience toward me. Thank You for the opportunity to record messages yesterday for CGN Christian Television. I ask that everything You said through me would bless the viewers, however many or few they might be. Thank You for the various things You have on my schedule for today. I need Your wisdom for every one. I pray that I would walk in accurate obedience step by step, accomplishing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!