POWER WITHOUT PREPARATION

Reference tex: 2 Kings 24:8-17

Power is a very interesting phenomenon and in this context, power relates to having  influence over systems, men or situations. One might think that with power will come a change in negative attitudes and values for more positive ones, however the truth is ‘power only amplifies’. Whatever is in the heart of an individual, the wielding of power will only give it further expression.

This explains why those who are wield power with God, are often taken through periods of preparation. Sometimes, these periods are so long and beset with unusual  learnings that one might wonder if God is actually the teacher. Yet, it is imperative because when power meets an unprepared vessel, what you have is an  uninsulated live wire – a ticking time bomb.

At 18 years, Jehoiachin was made king of Judah, but with no good examples to follow and no real preparation, his reign three month reign ended with a walk into captivity when Jerusalem was besieged. Unlike Hezekiah, who could boldly God approach about the threats of Sennacherib, in the absence of such a relationship, Jehoiachin folded in the face of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, and they plundered Jerusalem, leaving only the poor and weak behind.

It is not enough then to only seek for power, but to ensure that you are adequately prepared: in character and in capacity, to wield it.

Putting new wine into old wine skins destroys both the wine and the vessel, power in an unprepared vessel is a disaster waiting to happen.

#sly