Power Corrupts - But Does It Have To?

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 14

As soon as the royal power was firmly in his [Amaziah's] hand, he struck down his servants who had struck down the king his father. But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses. (2 Kings 14.5-6).

Devotional Thought: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."  ~Lord Acton.  Does that have to be?

Ancient kings (as well as many modern despots and even some democratic majorities!) liked to exercise absolute power.  After King Joash was murdered, his son, Amaziah, assumed the throne.  What would Amaziah do?  How would he exercise his power?  Would he do what was the accepted - even expected - practice in that day?  Would he kill all the descendants of his political foes?  No.  Amaziah would not do that.  Eschewing the cultural norms of his day, he spared the innocent relatives of the traitors.   Where did that come from?

It came from God's Word!  In Deuteronomy 24.16, God instructed his people: "Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin."  When culture is at odds with the Word of God, what do you choose?

It came God's way...

·       He chose thoughtfully.  There were other kings who had not heeded the Word of the Lord.  Amaziah was very deliberative, responding "according to what is written..." 

·       He chose calmly.  Amaziah refused to let his emotions rule, a prescription for disaster and defeat!  Instead, he waited until "the royal power was firmly in his hand."  Thus, he avoided the collateral damage of infighting and uprising. 

·       He chose decisively.  While sparing the innocent, he dealt resolutely with the source.

How about you?  How do you exercise power?  Do you surrender that power to the Word and way of God?

Prayer: Father, in the course of life, when my words and actions have power over others, may your Word and will have sway over me.  I want to wield power like Jesus did - with love, humility, and compassion.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 17.13-15

13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.

15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.