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| The view from a high horse can be cut short by the fall |
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March 9, 2008<br>
Background Scripture: 1 Chronicles 17:1-27<br>
Devotional Reading: Psalms 78:67-72<br>
When you read this, we will still be in the middle of a monstrous presidential primary campaign.<br>
Candidates’ words will be examined to determine if anyone has quietly changed his or her positions on various important issues. And, if so, candidates will probably be claiming that they hadn’t “changed” but simply “clarified” what they said previously. Sure.
1 Chronicles 17 tells us of a quick, dramatic turnabout by the Prophet Nathan. Living in the lap of luxury, David exclaims, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” And Nathan tells him to go ahead with his plans. But, less than 24 hours later, he commands King David not to build God a new “house.”<br>
(The writer, I think, is playing a little game with the reader: In my RSV, he uses the word “house” 13 times in chapter 17. But sometimes, he is speaking of God’s house, sometimes of David’s palace and, sometimes, of David and his descendent).<br>
Had God changed His mind? Not likely. Had Nathan misunderstood God the first time? The writer doesn’t know, and neither do we. All we know is that in a dream, God clearly stated that He did not want a temple built for Him at this time.<br>
Politicians and journalists would accuse Nathan of being inconsistent or even a “bogus prophet” who is not in touch with the Lord. Who needs a prophet who can’t get the message right every time?<br>
‘Second thoughts’<br>
Actually, I think we do. Although he was erroneously positive that he had God’s direction in this matter, Nathan was still capable of having “second thoughts.” He was open to God’s word, even if it meant he had to acknowledge that he had erred.<br>
That is a rare quality. God can teach such people, but the proud cannot learn what they already think they know.<br>
Several decades ago, Richardson Dilworth, district attorney of Philadelphia, was running for governor of Pennsylvania. In the campaign, he was criticized because during a labor strike he had sided with the union. Now, shocking everyone, he said that he had been wrong, an admission that probably cost him the election.
Never before had I heard a politician admit that he or she had been “wrong” and, unfortunately, I don’t recall any such admission since.<br>
This is a factor not only in politics, but in all phases of life, including religion. It is all too rare for religious people to admit they have been in error. The more we know of Jesus, the more humble we should become. The more we read the Bible, the more it should induce humility in our hearts.<br>
Yet, someone told me that the reason he was not impressed by the gospel is that “it is often spouted by the most arrogant people.” I agree with Thomas Guthrie: “The Christian is like the ripening corn; the riper he grows, the more lowly he bends his head.”<br>
The high life<br>
David was the Lord’s anointed king of Israel, but that doesn’t mean he was without excessive pride. He had come a long way from the meadow where he tended his father’s flocks.
So, it is significant that, living in the lap of royal luxury, one day he was moved to say to the Prophet Nathan: “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent” (17:1).<br>
It took a while for David to come to this realization, but when it came, he responded in humility: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?” This reads to me as genuine humility: Why me, Lord?<br>
Do you ever ask: Why, Lord, am I well-fed when so many are poorly nourished and starving? Why do I live in a nation where I can speak my mind freely, while others tremble under tyranny? If you end up thinking, Well I guess I deserve it, you are in for a fall.
There’s an old adage (which I just made up): Those who sit proudly on their high horses do not realize how painful and terrifying it will be when they fall. |
| 3/5/2008 |
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