Success in national development
The Bible Society of Ghana chose the theme “The Bible and National Development” for the celebration of the 2014 Bible Week in churches across the country.
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The Bible Week was launched in four centres where different denominations came together to worship and, in the week, collectively observe activities earmarked for the celebration.
I was invited to preach a sermon at one of the centres where the week was launched. This article is taken from my sermon notes and reflections on the theme.
The churches derive their cadence, vision and mission from the Bible. True Christians acknowledge the truths and principles of the Bible as the supreme standard of our belief and the goal of our actions.
In other words, the boundaries of what we believe as Christians and how we behave in the communities and societies in which we live is determined by biblical truths and principles.
For example, the churches are moved into mission based on biblical teachings. And so the Anglican churches taking guidelines from the Bible, state in part, in their covenant for mission: “We commit ourselves -To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God; -To preach, baptise and nurture new believers ; -To respond to human need by loving service; -To seek to transform unjust structures of society and -To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain and renew the life of the earth”
This is about proclaiming the Good News of God’s Kingdom concerning spiritual nurture and growth in Christian maturity, social action and responsible care for the environment.
It is a vision to bring glory to God and to serve humankind. In fact, some will argue that this is actually the mission of God among the nations; the churches simply come along to partner with God in His mission .
God Himself has shown the importance of His word in national life and development .The Bible says Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord- Ps 33: 12.
Blessed, indeed, is that nation because it will reach its full potential in experiencing peace on all sides and proper development. The total wellbeing of its citizens will grow.
When we turn to the commissioning of Joshua as a new leader (president) of Israel, God assures him: “You shall cause this people to inherit the land which I promised their ancestors.”
Then God gives him a principle for good success in national leadership (Guidelines that will ensure good governance and promote national development) : Be courageous , and make sure that you obey the whole law that my servant Moses gave you . Do not neglect any part of it , and you will succeed wherever you go. Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship . Study it day and Night , and make sure that you obey everything written in it . then you will be prosperous. Joshua 1; 7-8 GNB.
We see here a clear link between good governance, national prosperity and the Bible. These instructions to Joshua are still relevant for any national leader or king or president today .
Next, the Bible says righteous governance and a righteous civic life promotes the total welfare of a nation. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any (Proverbs 14:34).
This is classically illustrated in the rule of King Solomon. God visited him three times. The first time, King Solomon asked God for wisdom for good governance.
He prays: Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours ? 1 Kings 3:9. NLT .
The Lord blessed him with wisdom, honour and prosperity. When King Solomon kept to biblical standards and ruled with justice and righteousness, the King, with Israel was blessed and greatly prospered.
His international trade expanded and he had a huge international presence. So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other King on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him (1 King 10:23).
• To be continued
(The author is a Leadership Development and Cross-cultural Ministries Consultant , an international conference Speaker and formerly General Director/ CEO of Scripture Union Ghana. Email: [email protected] / [email protected])