Following the Brexit, the leadership of the Conservative Party which also means the Prime Minister’s office, came into question as the incumbent Prime Minister decided to vacate his office in September 2016. The vacant position saw no less than six candidate vying for the office, with the favorite being controversial and charismatic MPBoris Johnson. Boris, a clear favorite, and the main person behind the exit campaign, and strongly supported by Michael Gove MP, his close colleague, was then discarded by Michael Gove, who decided that Boris Johnson was not the leader that would warrant the office of Prime Minister as he defined him as being too weak and emotional. Gove therefore saw himself as the most suitable, electable candidate for the post.
The media saw this as an act of betrayal and questioned whether or not such a person is worthy of the vote of the MPs or the highest role of leading the country.
In 1 Samuel 24 we read about David’s opportunity to take revenge and kill King Saul, when the King is in the cave, instead David chooses to merely to cut off a piece of the King’s garment (though the thought of killing the King later bothered David’s conscience) as he recalled that King Saul is the Lord’s anointed and God had not given David authority to take the King’s life. It was God’s providence that afforded David opportunity to slay King Saul, however, it was not God’s mandate for David to do so. David was required to exercise both patience and faith in God to do the right thing at the right time, in the face of pressure from those around him and even opportunities that may arise. David had been anointed by the Prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16) to be King of Israel, but his time was not yet come.
It is not apparently evident why Michael Gove MP chose to act as he did toward his friend and ally Boris Johnson, however, the opportunity arose and he clearly took it, stating Johnson is divisive, selfish and unreliable. Gove also stated on a number of occasions when asked if he wanted the position of Prime Minister, that he was neither interested nor experienced lacking both the competence and capability to lead the country ~ yet now he is a leading candidate.
While the future of our country may appear uncertain and unclear, we as believers have the responsibility, a clear mandate to pray for our leaders and those who govern us, ‘that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way’. 1 Timothy 2:2.
Former Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill said, ‘The price of greatness is responsibility’.
This week and for the future, our responsibility, our mandate is to pray!