I suspect that almost every American believes that in the deep recesses of the Oval Office is a top secret folder prepared by the outgoing president to be given to the newly elected one. No one knows about it but we suspect it exists and is marked “For President’s Eyes Only.” In it is found secret information about all the plots from foreign lands to destroy America. There is probably information about the Kennedy assassination, the truth about Area 51 in Roswell, and a host of information about other trivial matters.
Of even greater importance would be the information about how to govern this great land. There would be information about how to make wise decisions which would guarantee the glorious future of the land we love so much. Think for just a moment about the awesome responsibility a new president has! Think of his need for wisdom and guidance in leading our nation!
The kings of Israel had this same need for wisdom and information about how to lead God’s chosen people. Hundreds of years before their first king was crowned God prepared His “secret folder” to be used by the new king. Fortunately, that folder is not secret. We can read it.
“When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel” (Deut. 17:18-20).
Now imagine a new king, like David who had been raised to be a shepherd, ascending to the throne. Imagine the impact of his making his own handwritten copy of the Bible. Imagine that copy being at his side as he governed the people. Imagine him reading it every single day with the intent of carefully observing all that God said. Imagine these words keeping his heart from being lifted up with pride and humbly following God’s teaching and prolonging his days.
In just weeks we will have a new president. Let us pray for him as he governs us. Let us pray that there will be the copy of the Bible by his side and that he will spend time every day letting God lead him and give him wisdom. Pray!