A Problem in the Palace....

A busy weekend it was for me and as usual, many mind boggling stories in the news every day. Leadership issues, economic woe tales, societal concerns and all sorts. Can we just have a respite from all of these problems that exist around us?  I read the newspaper sometimes and it sometimes leaves me wondering where my nation is heading towards. There are always problems in the palace. A nation has problems hence they elect people whom they think are capable of solving their issues. When one is sorted out (hopefully), another arises. Many of us are quick to condemn people at the top at the helm of affairs and what they do.

 It is not a strange thing that our leaders do not and cannot always have a solution to all the problems they have. No president king or leader can boast confidently of having a smooth sail all the time.  The bible confirms in Job 32: 9 that “Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice”. This literally means that there are times and many are they when our leaders fall short of wisdom and they are faced with challenges that they are not equipped to solve hence there will always be a need for individuals who would proffer solutions to these issues if they will ever be given the chance to perform.  This piece is not to castigate the government but to focus on how you and I can brace ourselves for a great future ahead.

The stories about three (3) outstanding men in the Bible amaze me so much and that would be the focus of our discussion this morning. These are men who had a similar sojourn in life, almost similar outcomes and the common thing amongst these three people was that their gifts and talents opened the doors of the palace to them not for fun fare or a tourist trip, but to solve a problem in the palace. I am talking about no other people than Joseph, David and Daniel….

Joseph

Starting with the humbling story of Joseph, as most of us know, He was a young man who had a seemingly good upbringing even though His mother had died so early on in his life and was left with a Father who loved him so much and made a coat of many colours for Him. He had a dream and he was so hated for that dream by His brothers. That led to his being sold as a slave to another country. He served diligently in the house of His master Potiphar and as a result of one of those things we face in life for living an upright life, he was sent to prison because he refused to sleep with his master’s wife. Too many demeaning trials in his life, yet he never gave up. He kept doing what he knew to do diligently and one day, as a result of his good human relations with people in the prison, he was able to interpret someone’s dream. Even though, he took a while for the person to remember him, his time came and he came highly recommended at the palace. In a single day, Joseph’s life was turned around because He could solve the problem in the palace.

14Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. 15And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”16So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”42Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt

David

David was an insignificant shepherd boy who was doing his thing at the back side of the forest. His father, Jesse didn’t regard him as anyone to reckon with as he didn’t even remember to mention his name when he was at the desert taking care of the sheep when Samuel the prophet came around to anoint one of his sons as king. David was victimised by his own blood yet he kept doing what He knew to do best; tendering the sheep and whilst doing that, he learnt to play the instruments and became skilful at it. Someone somewhere saw him doing something and he was highly recommended when the time came.

1^st Samuel 16:17: So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”18Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.” 19Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep….. 21So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 

Daniel

Daniel was a young, promising man who had been taken as a slave from his country to Babylon. He however lived uprightly and something similar to Joseph happened to him. The King had a distressing dream that only God could unravel. He had forgotten the dream and needed someone who would not only remember the dream but interpret it as well. Now, that was a seemingly knotty and naturally impossible assignment.  Daniel did tell him the dream and interpreted it and he became a powerful man in the kingdom.

Daniel 2:1 Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.2Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 3And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream……..

46Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” 48Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

From the stories of these 3 young men, we can draw some conclusions:

•  They were all young and had a promising future
• They were victimized and in a disadvantaged position for one reason or the other
• They took time to develop themselves irrespective of the odds against them   
•  In all three cases, there was a problem in the palace
• They were recommended. Someone had seen them do something.
•  They solved the problems
• They got promotion and were celebrated.

Let’s wrap this up. There are a lot of problems in Nigeria and at Aso-rock  for which you may be wired to solve. The White house has problems that someone reading this may be able to solve.  10 Downing Street has a lot of challenges as well as Buckingham palace that someone reading this has the capacity to solve. There are problems everywhere every day and  solutions to them will make a lot of difference to our world.  It doesn't matter how disadvantaged we currently are. One day and soon, the odds would be in favour of those who are genuinely willing to make a change.

There is a solution residing in side of you that can bring you into limelight. And the secret is doing that very thing you know how to do in your crib, office, and corner well. One day you will be thrust into the palace. There is something called the power of recommendation. Every little thing you do is being watched. Your courteous acts are being noted. A time will come when you will be recommended. Someone will mention your name to another person and the cycle will continue until you are mentioned to someone who would be your destiny helper!

On a final note, if you feel you are being unfairly victimized in life by reason of many frustrating circumstances in spite of all your tenacious efforts,  don’t give up. Many people identify the difficulties in every opportunity but the wise identify the opportunities in every difficulty. Just keep doing what you know to do best. It will speak for you soon. Whilst many are complaining on how things are not working, let the wise think about coming up with a solution that will bring a change. There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding (Job 32:8)

Problems do exist in the palace. Would you rather be a solution? If the opportunity comes knocking at your door, would you be ready to make a change? Get yourself prepared and now is the time to start!

The Pen…..