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Old Testament Israel was also a place of political intrigues. We have changed greatly in technology and yet are unaltered in heart. There’s so much from that day that speaks to our heart attitudes and our prideful speculations. The first Israeli dynasty ended in despair, defeat, death and suicide of the leaders of the royal family. A reign that had begun with so much blessing and promise had crumbled to shame and sin. The Bible tells the lives of its principle participants just as they were: character flaws and moments of great faith. Its heroes are very human. All this is a foundation for my reminder that there is room for neither glee nor finger pointing after the quitting of our current governor. We need a Bible-guided response. King Saul, first monarch of Israel had treated David, son of Jesse, shabbily. Jealously and hate caused their relationship to sour. Yet when the news of the end of Saul’s reign reached David he gave orders that the entire state take up his freshly composed lament: "Your glory O Israel lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!" Perhaps we’ll never know all the powerful forces that converge at the Governor’s mansion. Some people entertain a suspicion that there’s far more to this resignation than unwanted pressures caused by threatened sexual harassment charges. In the end, ordinary citizens like you and me are presented with the simple fact: the man who ruled our state is ending his term prematurely and under a cloud. I am teaching from one of the New Testament letters in my Sunday sermons. This weekend we consider the admonition: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." The rulers being mentioned were the tyrannical lords of the Roman Empire! I note that the admonition doesn’t qualify itself saying that submission to authority is only in the case of your personal agreement with the lifestyle of the ruler. Love can render obedience without having to endorse the moral standing of the ruler. Pray for those in power. Such a stand calls for heart maturity. Agree with or question the governor’s resignation speech all you like, but be sure to keep your tongue from slander, your suggestions peaceable, your remarks considerate and your attitudes humble. If conversations about these events cause you to err in any of these you too will be the loser. We’ve experienced another shameful admissions that a leader we trusted with power has betrayed his family who believed in his promises. This calls us to choose between two paths. One takes us into complacency and jadedness. In this we no longer hope for high morals in our leaders. The second is a more difficult road. I recommend it. On this path we grieve whenever a leader falls. We lament, but we also remember that he that is without sin should cast the first stone. We reexamine our morals. We pray for governors. Take from all these news flashes a personal warning: deal speedily with your own failings. Don’t let the sun set on any cover up you may have entertained. There is not enough power in any office in the world to prevent the sins of the past from catching up and crushing your best ambitions. None are exempt from temptation. Repentance, Confession and Forgiveness (often with Restitution) are healthiest for the soul. It takes character and courage, but remember the Bible warning: "He that covers his sin will not prosper." These words are more than literature - they are life! |