FOURTH DIMENSION: Solomon’s vision lessons

When King Solomon fulfilled his father’s vision, he made these remarks recorded in 1 Kings 8:17- 20: “Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel. The Lord told my father David, ‘It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me. But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’ The Lord has kept the promise he made.

I have taken my father David’s place and have occupied the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built this temple for the honor of the Lord God of Israel.”
There are three lessons we can draw from these words of a loyal son and king:

It’s a noble desire to build a temple to honour God. The temple was the central guiding point of the life of the nation of Israel. Israel, according to the promise of God was only complete as a nation when they were in the land and the temple was up and functioning as the centre of the nation’s life. The temple provided the software for the nation’s direction and posterity. It’s a fact that nations take the character of the God they worship.

Great and noble desires are trans-generational. David’s desire was fulfilled by his son Solomon. David’s contribution was to make significant provision for the building of the temple. We consider David a successful leader because he provided a great vision and raised a leader that delivered the nation to the desired goal.

The success of the next generation is dependent upon clinging onto the right software for national life. Solomon claimed the right promises of God and pursued noble national causes. Solomon claimed the promise of God to his father. And he committed to keeping God at the centre of the life of the whole nation. His life goal was to honor the God of the nation he was entrusted to lead.
The lessons here which must be applied in the pursuit of the Uganda 2040 Vision, are:

.Uganda needs to acquire the software that promotes national greatness. That software is a national commitment to model our character after the nature of the God of the Bible. It’s Him alone that can empower Uganda to reach her desires.

.Ugandans must think trans-generational; over and beyond dreams that can only work in our lifetime. The national vision must be viewed beyond the current government and opposition. Otherwise it’s frightening to think of the 2040 vision as a new roadmap to holding onto power till 2040 and beyond.

What the nation needs is a generation of corruption free young Ugandans who know God’s will for Uganda and will dare to accomplish what the current generation has not been able to accomplish.
.The ultimate goal for Uganda must be a universal commitment to honor God over and above every desire of the leaders and the population of the nation. It must surely be for God and my country.
jcmugabi@gmail.com