"Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely"
Ezekiel 32:2
"Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: "You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams."
At one point perhaps, a majestic "lion among nations" and thereafter "a monster in the seas". Lord Acton of England, 1887, once said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! And that great philosopher, the Amazing Spider-man™ said, "with great power comes great responsibility". Power is such a double edged sword, authority has both potential to be a blessing or a curse. Our Lord Jesus said to Pilate "you have no power over me if it were not given to you from Above…" (John 19:11), God ultimately grants authority in one form or another to each one of us and we must always seek God's wisdom to measure up to the responsibilities that accompanies it, lest it consume us. 1 Kings 3:9 shows King Solomon's humility in receiving power from God: "So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?" May this be our prayer for ourselves with those we have authority over at work, at church, and in the family. And especially, may this be our prayer for those with authority and power in our communities, in national and in global affairs.
~04.04.2016
"Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: "You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams."
At one point perhaps, a majestic "lion among nations" and thereafter "a monster in the seas". Lord Acton of England, 1887, once said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! And that great philosopher, the Amazing Spider-man™ said, "with great power comes great responsibility". Power is such a double edged sword, authority has both potential to be a blessing or a curse. Our Lord Jesus said to Pilate "you have no power over me if it were not given to you from Above…" (John 19:11), God ultimately grants authority in one form or another to each one of us and we must always seek God's wisdom to measure up to the responsibilities that accompanies it, lest it consume us. 1 Kings 3:9 shows King Solomon's humility in receiving power from God: "So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?" May this be our prayer for ourselves with those we have authority over at work, at church, and in the family. And especially, may this be our prayer for those with authority and power in our communities, in national and in global affairs.
~04.04.2016
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