None are righteous! Why is it that we love to point out the failures in others since we ALL have them. Granted, some have more serious problems than others but we all have the dark side to contend. Those thoughts that visit us frequently that no one knows about are always there ready to swing into action at the first good opportunity. Pity those who’ve not truly dealt with their limitations.
Mark Twain gave this sage advice, “Anyone who has had a bull by the tail knows five or six things more than someone who hasn’t. “
Until we have come to grips with the ego that sets itself apart from all others, we’ll continue to see ourselves as somewhat more righteous and more desereving than all others. And, we’ll be of little good to those who truly need help because we don’t know what “needing help” is all about.
There was a time when Shimei would have had his head cut off immediately. Shimei was a man of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin who held a deep grudge against King David. There was a time when Absolom, his son, could have been in a great deal of danger as well. Thou Shimei cursed David and threw stones at him, David wouldn’t respond, nor let his companions either.
You see, David had faced his own dark side.
Daivd had committed adultery, murder, and who knows what all. He knew of his humanity, his limitations and he cried out to God (Psalms 51) to whom his greatest pain was reflected. David had walked through the drakest valley and saw the mercy He needed and so therefore he was able to give mercy. God save us from the religious Pharisees of today who have not communicated with their dark side, not have they done battle with their limitations.
It’s hard to be humble in America!
It’s even harder to seek and give mercy in the American church! There are rules, doctrines, dogmas, confrontations, counseling, deliverances, and a host of punishments for those who go astray! Did I mention ex-communication too? We all need a Nathan to confront us, but what we don’t need is a crowd of Pharisees looking over our shoulder to judge and condemn those things that they have decided aren’t good for them. Jesus does not condemn us!
It’s a sad commentary against the church in America particularly that people who are down and out don’t see the church as a place to go for help. They see church and condemnation as synonyms, not church and mercy. As Donald McCullough wrote, “In David’s abject humiliaion he revealed his true greatness; when his authority was most eroded he showed himself most kingly. ”
When we accept that we’re naked and without clothes, the journey begins!
And lest we not forget, Jesus the Christ came from the line of David. David, “A man after God’s own heart”. It’s not about what you have done or want to do, but how you overcome and face your dark side, by teh grace of God!
