First to Be Mighty

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 1

Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man. (1 Chronicles 1.10)

Devotional Thought: First Chronicles begins the most extensive genealogy in all of the Bible.  It makes for some pretty laborious reading.  But the description of Cush’s son Nimrod as a “mighty man” in v. 10 of today’s chapter conjures up images of the style of leadership that resonates in our culture.  The effective leader is the person who possesses confidence and courage … who is focused and persistent … who conveys strength and tenacity.  Vulnerability and weakness are liabilities that need to be overcome.  Leaders have exceptional gifts that enable them to stand out from the crowd.  Glaring imperfections or deficiencies disqualify us from being an effective leader—or so we think.

At the same time, most of the leaders pictured in the Bible weren’t the stereotypical “mighty man.”  They were people who had flaws and insecurities … shortcomings and imperfections that were often conspicuous.  But when these men and women came to God out of a deep sense of dependence, He was able to use them in powerful and “mighty” ways.

When our leadership grows out of desperation for God—when it stems from feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency and crying out to Him because we’re in over our heads—it takes on a very different feel.  And because we possess an unlimited supply of imperfections, we will never run out of something we can offer God and make available for His use.

The Apostle Paul said, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Cor. 12.9).  These days, perhaps that’s what it means to be a “mighty man”—not one who is strong and secure and never conveys any sense of weakness, but one who is dependent upon God to use their limited resources in amazing ways.

John Whitsett

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that in my weakness your strength may be perfected so that I might be a mighty person in your kingdom.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 30.6-12

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."

7 By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

9 "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!