-February 21, 2022-
Good morning, happy Monday, happy Presidents Day,
“By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.”
(Proverbs 8:15-16).
Today is Presidents Day here in the United States, a day that is celebrated as a federal holiday on the third Monday of February each year. It was established in 1971. I am old enough to remember that originally we celebrated Lincoln’s Birthday on February 16 and Washington’s Birthday on February 22. We used to get both of them off of school. Now it is one combined holiday that honors not only our first and great President George Washington and our sixteenth and great President Abraham Lincoln, but also all our presidents that have served and led our country.
Being president of the United States is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Our president is called the leader of the free world. He works long hours, in stressful situations, is often criticized, with relatively low pay for such a job. We notice that our presidents age exponentially while in office. Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) was elected to four terms. After that the president can only serve two terms in office.
The key to be being a successful president is having God’s wisdom for such a task. The eighth and ninth chapters of Proverbs are all about wisdom. The Lord Jesus Christ is wisdom personified. Wisdom speaks in Proverbs 8:12-36. Wisdom is putting knowledge and understanding into practice to produce good results. Not only do our leaders need it, but so do all of us. Proverbs 8:11 says, “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Solomon was the wisest king ever because God gave him great wisdom.
Solomon wrote Proverbs and said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). We need to respect and honor all our presidents and pray for them daily. They need wisdom in all the important decisions they make. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For their is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Paul also wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Let us then pray for our president and all who are in authority that God will strengthen him and give him him wisdom. He has great responsibility and thus needs great wisdom to handle everything he does. May we also as believers pray for God’s wisdom in our lives. James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Have a blessed day living by God’s wisdom and praying for our leaders, especially our president to have wisdom. Stay safe and healthy.
In His wisdom from above,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 