Chariots and Horses
This morning I was reminded of a statement made by a King. He wasn’t a perfect King, although we are told that he really had a heart for God. David had his share of ups and downs; sin and holiness. There were days when the Lord was first in his life and days when he became complacent. He was a king, a leader, a man who knew that the only reason he had such a position was because God chose Him.
I wish that all of the leaders I know had this kind of an attitude. First of all, that they understood that they were only human and subject to weakness, failure and mistakes. This is a key to having integrity, for as soon as a leaders (spiritual or political leaders) become filled with pride, they set themselves and those who they lead up for a fall. I see this happening in the state of New Hampshire where I live.
Same Sex marriage is a huge issue in our state right now and those who lead us in the house and senate are making nonsense decisions. They are pandering to uncommon sense arguments and taking on attitudes of arrogance and pride. I even had one senator tell me that she was going to vote in opposition to Same Sex marriage, only to do the opposite. Somehow our leaders think that they are not serving people anymore, and that they don’t necessarily have to have integrity or be people of their word.
David made this statement, “Some trust in chariots and horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God.” In saying that, he was saying that he understood that we can all get caught up in personal power. If there was anyone who had the chariots and horses to lean upon, it was King David. He built Israel’s army and saw his share of great military victories. I imagine that the thing that kept him from swaying too far from God was reminding himself of the early days. He knew what it was to see God’s hand defeat the lion and the bear and the giant Goliath. He didn’t take on an arrogant attitude.
Chariots and horses will come and go, but God’s name will stand forever. I want to be the kind of leader that does not pander to opinion and does not take on personal power. I’m grateful for grace, because I have failed in this at times. In saying that, I also want to hold other leaders accountable for riding on their own chariots and horses without regard to God’s will. We should do that by praying for them and speaking the truth in love. You have permission to do that to me as well!
-Peter
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Peter Bonanno is a husband, father, and pastor. His wife is Lisa. His kids are Caleb, Jorden and Gabrielle. The church he pastors is Grace Capital Church in Pembroke, NH. Most importantly, he is the son of The Father.
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I think the thing that separates these leaders from David, is that many of them are lost and do not know, or have a relationship with, the Lord.
Having a homosexual parent I am very in tune with this issue. In my opinion, our representatives and senators have shown a lack of leadership by allowing outside influences and pride to guide their decisions. Since we have a representative government these people are able to vote as they see fit. However, we are able to speak at the voting booth when it comes time for re-election.
Having said all that, I think now more than ever God is calling on us to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. The key here is we must TRULY do everything we do “in love” It will be a greater travesty if we win the battle, but these leaders are lost in the war and do not know the love of God and miss out on the kingdom of God.
However, no matter what happens with same sex marriage issue. God still reigns… (see Mike Mavity’s blog)
You make a huge point that we don’t want to win a political battle alone. The issue is the heart and souls of people, but our leaders will have to give account. I guess I’m more concerned with a lack of integrity, honesty and humility than I am about one particular issue.
I loved the point which said David remembered his early encounters with the Lord where he was made to conquer. some versions say , some trust in chariots and in horses but we remember the name of our Lord God, implying that it does not take much for us to be victors, we only need to remember the Lord in everything we do before honoring our pride and strength of which all those belong to the Lord again.