The Wall Street Journal is tracking Obama's First 100 Days. Their handy "track-o-matic" is a nice touch and highlights major developments for each day in the countdown. Alas, there is no associated story with a Presidential quote like this: “For my first official act in office, I will spend the next 15 days making a complete handwritten copy of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. My entire cabinet of advisers will serve as witnesses during the process. I will then begin each day in office with the reading and study of the books I have copied.” This may sound like a speech from the twilight zone, but there was a time and place where it made perfect sense.
God spoke through His servant Moses, declaring the highest and best use for a monarch's first days in office. Here is what God outlined for each newly installed king of Israel: “Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, in order that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
The worst thing that could happen to a king was to become proud, to let the power and prerogatives of his position go to his head. Reading, studying, and meditating on a handwritten copy of God’s Word was a great antidote for this workplace hazard. Making this part of his daily regimen would remind the king to lead the people in a way that served God's interests. It would help him remember that he answers to God.
Does it seem like President Obama would welcome a coronation? Let him learn what God says about the proper priorities of kings. Let him reaffirm his accountability to the God of the Bible for his performance as President. A good place to start would be in reading and meditating on the Word. Let him discover therein how to boost his approval ratings in the eyes of the only One whose opinion matters. Alas, we are now two thirds of the way through the first one hundred days, and the President's actions present scant evidence for a sense of accountability to the God of the Bible.
What about you? Would you like to live like a king? Start a journal in which you write out the Bible verses God is using to teach you, keep that journal ready at hand, and use it as the basis of daily study and refection. Your ability to obey God, to resist pride, and to be a constructive influence on those around you will all go up. Writing, reading, and applying God’s Word is a great way to live like a king, the kind of which the King of kings approves.
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