Here’s a massive tree I caught on Fraser Island.

Scripture

When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar at the Temple entrance. 2 Chronicles 23:13

Then he set up the two pillars at the entrance of the Temple , one to the south of the entrance and the other to the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz. 2 Chronicles 3:17

Observation

It was a day of national emergency and marshal law. The malicious Queen Athaliah was being evicted from the throne and the tender Joash was being crowned as boy-king. The nation was shaken to its foundations. The hope of the country rested on the shoulders of an 8 year old kid. He was the last surviving heir to the throne. Without him David’s line would be extinguished, the promises of God dashed and the promise of the Messiah dissolved. So much depended on a child just old enough for the second grade.

In such a scary moment, where would an eight-year-old go? Look, there he is, the little Joash in his miniature royal robes and tiny crown. He is standing on the top step of the temple, looming over his head are thirty feet of bronze pillar and the little body and beating heart are pressed hard against it. He was a brave little man.

The pillars had names. One was called “Jakin” which means “he establishes”. The other is named “Boaz” which no one is really sure what the name means. But everyone knew immediately who Boaz was. He was the dashing businessman who set everything aside to help a foreigner called Ruth . His love healed Naomi and her husband’s house and saved the royal line for King David.

Just as Boaz was the kinsman redeemer for Ruth who could come under his protection, so the Lord would be the redeemer for that nation. In the shadow of the perpendicular bronze it was not hard to feel safe. The little hands of the boy-king held the scroll-work tightly as if it were a mother’s skirt. The Lord was his only defense in this day of shaking, and the Lord brought him through.

It was a cool morning in the dark rainforest when I met a tree that had been waiting for me for at least 800 years. I later found that six humans linking hands could barely encircle it. This sentinel of the forest invited me to sit in his lap. I rested my head against the coarse skin and pressed my back against the muscles under the bark. I reflected over all that tree had seen in his lifetime. King John signed the Magna Charta when he was a sapling. The printing press, Columbus ‘ journeys, Valley Forge , the Emancipation Proclamation and D-Day all happened around his swaying braches. Yet still he grows through many storms. For a moment I felt enfolded in a stability of centuries and could better imagine the unchanging character and nature of our eternal God. More than trees and pillars, the Lord is strong and mighty to save from age to age the same.

Application

There are days that our world is rattled and where we run to for support tells everything about our faith. We can run to friends, or connections, or diversions, or medications, or perversions of good things. Instead the pillars of God welcome us to come and stand where boys become kings and the wisdom of centuries is downloaded with one touch. There is only one safe place in time of crisis: that is in the love of God in Jesus Christ given to us. When we become absolutely secure in God’s love for us in Jesus nothing can rattle us.

Prayer

Today Father today I wait in you and find comfort in Jakin and Boaz. You will establish for you are the kinsman Redeemer. You are faithful. You promise me that you will not disappoint me. I reach to you Lord and ask you to rescue me. Amen.

Dave Barr is my best pastor friend, the kind we need to keep bright and sharp in dark and dull times.

Scripture

“During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:5-7

Observation

A world without leadership is life in darkness keeping company with all that grows in dark places. During the days of the Judges few would take responsibility to lead well. Each of the problems that they faced were alarms to the potential leaders of the land. The tragedy was that those leaders pushed the snooze button and ignored their responsibilities.

Now King Asa stood in another dark time. Again the alarm was ringing. But instead of rolling over, King Asa took action. He not only tackled public opinion with a bulldozer ripping down pagan shrines, he even took on his grandmother and bumped her from the throne.

There was no pay rise in this. Asa had no promotion to gain. What King Asa did receive was a promise that his efforts would be rewarded. Others would benefit because of the painful steps he was taking.

Leaders do not always benefit from their efforts as much as those who follow them. Abraham Lincoln never enjoyed the end of the Civil War but the freed slaves did. FDR never did a victory parade through Paris , but liberated Europe did. George Washington was homeless for the seven years of the Revolution, and though he became the first president and laid the foundation stone of the US Capitol, he never slept in the White House. But others did. Because these leaders paid the price the reward has been great.

Application

Leadership makes all the difference, and it is worth leading well. This calls for leaders who are indifferent to personal benefit, who act because the times require it. It makes a difference for a leader to lead in dark times.

We live in dark times, where people compare color charts of right and wrong in the shadows. Troubles do abound. God is troubling our world with every kind of problem. Each of these is an alarm clock ringing for us to arise and take action. Leaders must lead for their work will be rewarded. I will stand with them.

Prayer

Father I want to lead by turning the light on in dark places. I know this has great reward. Help me to keep the lights on. Amen.