RCCG Open Heaven Devotion 2012 – Pastor E. A. Adeboye (ISBN: 978-36079-4-4)
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(Previously available online @: http://www.rccgna.org/Resources/BibleStudy/Devotionals.aspx)

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 37-40

Memorise: And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 1 Chronicles 29:25

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:22-25

God’s presence is very crucial in the life of a leader or ruler over a kingdom. We see this in the life of King Solomon. After he was crowned king of Israel, he got the cooperation of all his subjects because of God’s presence. Do you know that it is easy to obey the carrier of God’s presence just as it is easy to disobey the one who does not carry God’s presence? Any king or leader who does not carry God’s presence will struggle with his subjects or subordinates. Many will have excuses – genuine excuses for not obeying such a leader. But the one who carries God’s presence will easily control those under him. That was the experience of Adam before the fall. Because he was clothed with God’s presence, the animals and everything on earth willingly served under him. But when he fell and he summoned the animals for a meeting, they noticed that he was no longer wearing the glory of God that compelled them to obey him, so they rebelled against his government, choosing self-rule from then on.

In Solomon’s experience, he observed that all those who could have easily refused to submit to his rule all submitted to him in one accord. Such people like the princes, mighty men and the sons of David, many of who were older and had more claim to legitimacy as children of David’s legitimate wives. Only God’s presence could have made that possible! If people find it difficult to submit to you as the pastor or your wife and children find it difficult to submit to you as their father, it may mean that you need more of God’s presence. Stop going to men to tell them to submit to you; go to God and get more of His glory upon your life and they will submit to you willingly. Lastly, from today’s passage, we also notice that God magnified Solomon exceedingly before all Israel and gave him tremendous increase in everything. God is the One who makes a leader important. He is the One who can make subordinates to regard and honour their leader. Are you a leader? Then ask God to increase your worth before your subordinates and crown you with majesty.

Are your subordinates rebellious or despising you? Go and receive power to reign from God’s presence.