THE RICH AND THE POWERFUL
Christine Wyrtzen
Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. Psalm 119:161
Unfortunate is the adult who still has the magical thinking of a child. He expects that life will always be fair and that there will always be a human being to make sure things go in his favor. His parents, most likely, shielded him from all bias and any trace of corruption. He was never taught the wisdom of how to live in this world.
My father was a public high school teacher, then principal, then guidance counselor. Stories were told around our dinner table about parents who stood up for ‘little Johnny’ after he had acted out and had been sent to the office for discipline. Consequences for his rebellious and disruptive behavior would have benefited him but his parents, indignant that their child could ever be guilty, interfered with justice.
David knew persecution, even by those who had the unlimited power to raise up an army. They were the rich and powerful. The reputation of the crown preceded them. Yet, he was street smart in the midst of injustice. Some years later, he would pass on such wisdom to his son, Solomon, as evidenced by his writing. “If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.” Ecclesiastes 5:8
David knew that there was such a thing as innocence, even if prestigious men and women called you guilty. He also knew that God, the higher authority, watched all matters and it would be just a matter of time before justice would prevail.
I remember that today. Though it appears men get away with wielding the sword of abusive power, it is an illusion. Their crimes will catch up to them and they will pay for all eternity if they do not repent at the foot of the cross. This is a good thing to remember as we watch corrupted politics in this election year.
How does this apply to me personally? No one, not even a prince, should cause me to wear robes of shame if I am innocent, or if I have repented and made restitution.
The mighty are little in Your universe. Keep my perspective clean and focused. Amen
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Monday, 24 May 2021.
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