Readings for today: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalms 51
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” - Lord Acton
He might as well have been talking about King David. David who had so much going for him. David whom God raised from a shepherd’s field to a palace. David who went from fighting off wild animals to protect his sheep to fighting giants to protect the people of Israel. David who killed his “ten thousands.” David who was the bane of the Philistines. David who seemingly could not lose a battle. David who was a man after God’s own heart. David who refused to kill the Lord’s anointed. David who trusted God on so many occasions. This same David was also subject to weakness. Vulnerable to temptation. And the higher he rose, the more precarious his position became. The more authority and power he accumulated, the more it went to his head. As the prophet Nathan’s story makes clear, what happened with David was not a moment of weakness. He didn’t just slip up. He didn’t just fall into sin. He believed he had every right to Bathsheba just as the rich man believed he had every right to the poor man’s lamb.
Human beings don’t handle power well. It corrupts us from the inside out. It twists our way of thinking. It perverts how we see those around us. It makes us feel entitled. It deadens our sense of right and wrong. We start to believe we know better than others because, deep down, we believe we are better than others. And because we are better than others, we deserve what we can get. Think of the politicians who have become incredibly wealthy as they’ve served our country. They believe, deep down, they deserve it. Think of those in the highest economic classes who commit egregious crimes or exploit those who work for them or who take advantage of unjust laws in other countries to grow their companies. They believe, deep down, they are above the law. Think of those who exercise great spiritual authority like pastors and priests who take advantage of those who are hurting and struggling. They believe, deep down, they are immune from any consequences. But God sees them. God judges them. God will hold them accountable just like He did King David.
How do we avoid falling into this trap? How do we resist the temptation to use whatever influence, power, or authority we have in our lives for ourselves? We give it away. We seek to serve rather than be served. We intentionally lay it down for the sake of others. This is the way of Jesus.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122