DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL: Providing Service in the kingdom

Text: 1Kings 4:1-20

Solomon had settled down to rule God's people. With the divine wisdom he received, he began to diversify the economy. He decentralized duties for the various sectors of the nation. People who were in the service of his father, who were found faithful, continued in service, while some were replaced. More so, governors were appointed to oversee various cities and Make provisions for the King's household. The end of it is that "Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing"(verse 20). This denotes an atmosphere of peace, harmony, tranquillity and progress. 

This setting creates in my mind a picture of the kind of Kingdom Jesus is going to usher in during his millennial reign. Isaiah chapters 11 and 12 give a vivid description of this  kingdom. The harmony will be such that " the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the farming together, and a little child shall lead them". But most interesting part is that this kingdom of Solomon's was just a shadow of Jesus coming kingdom. 

 

Jesus had already established his kingdom, first and foremost in our hearts. All who believe in him and have accepted him as lord are already part of this kingdom, " But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1Peter 1:9) Jesus kingdom is the kingdom of light, it has nothing to do wit darkness. We have been recruited into the kingdom to work in various capacities as he deems fit. Some of us have received out of the five fold ministries, while some have some  have been blessed with hidden but more important gifts. Remember, each of us, as in the parable of the talent, is answerable for our productivity.

In Solomon's kingdom everyone performed their expected duties at the right time and so there was unprecedented peace and progress. Solomon's reign recorded the peak of Israel's glory. Before him and after him, there was no such record of  a greater level of development instead after his reign, everything took a downward spiral. The lesson is that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach. If you make God your number one, then everything else will fall in line. May we bear in mind everyday that God has called us to help build his kingdom. We re his hands and legs here on earth. Every material we employ to build this kingdom shall be passed through the test of fire. May we be committed to ensure a good reward at his appearing. Amen!