May 8 - Blind Ambition

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 15,16; Psalms 32; Matthew 25

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Do not strive for position or power
unless God is assigning it to you. 

The comparisons continue. The differences we observed between David and Saul are similar to what we read today about David and his son Absalom. Despite the serious mistakes David made, with Bathsheba, Uriah, and his own children, he kept coming back to the Lord.  He knew he became king and stayed king only because of God’s appointing and anointing. David never aspired to rule, but like Saul, Absalom was driven by blind ambition.

Like Saul, Absalom was the people’s choice. He was tall, good-looking, with long flowing hair. He was the consummate politician, promising what he couldn’t deliver, literally kissing up to his supporters (15:1-6). He tried to use God to get what he wanted, offering sacrifices and seeking godly counsel (15:12). But he seemed to have no personal relationship with God and was convinced that he could achieve power through his own manipulation.

Even though David was still king, he didn’t fight back. Just like when he refused to strike out at Saul, David would not lift a hand to harm Absalom. As he was fleeing Jerusalem, he said to his men, If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again (15:25). David knew that all human ambition is blind; God alone sees and controls our future. He wanted nothing to do with position or power unless God was assigning it to him.

Our NT reading illustrates how our future is in God’s hands and our part is to be ready when He comes for us (25:1-13). It’s human nature to want to take back control. I remember a few years ago at this time, for the first time in 40 years, when I was looking for employment. Other than my first job, short-order cook at Burger Chef, I had never applied for work. God clearly opened doors for me and I simply trusted Him enough to walk through them. Like David, I felt God telling me then and today that He will continue to lead me. There will be no need for human striving or manipulation, no blind ambition! Finding my way to become a Chaplain was yet another miracle of God’s leading.

David’s prayer is mine today, You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. “Selah”. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you (32:7,8).