Psalm 68 – Using Power For Good
Show your strength, God, you who have acted on our behalf. (Psalms 68:28)
They say power changes you. But what if it really just exposes you? We’ve seen people from the past and present misuse their positions of power. And what power did was reveal what was already in them. Maybe many of us don’t really commit “terrible sins” (or so we think), is because we haven’t had a big enough temptation challenge us yet. But once it does, how would we hold up under the weight of it? Many of us already struggle, trying not to misuse the positions of power we already have as— a husband or wife, a mother or father, an employer or employee. We already find ourselves using these relationships to suit more of our needs than theirs.
Thankfully, we have someone who has shown us how to use power in the right way. In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus told his disciples not to imitate the leaders on this earth, who use their power to exploit others, but instead to use it to serve others. And Jesus grounds his command in himself as the model: “For just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The Leader of leaders, the one who “rides on the clouds” and “thunders with his powerful voice” became creation’s lowliest servant (68:4, 33).
If you have a relationship of influence that you’re finding difficult to demonstrate patience, unconditional forgiveness and service, then look to Jesus as your teacher, leader, and helper. Jesus’ power exposes how differently good he is than us. Jesus will show you how to use your power for good, for he says, “Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29-30).
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