Can the Country's Leader Ever Be Trusted Again?

The entire country was devastated when the highest ranking official in the judicial branch confirmed the accusations against the chief executive were true. The hope everyone was clinging to…that this was a conspiracy against the most influential man in the world, leader of the greatest nation in the world…was dashed when the head of state admitted to the affair and the horrendous crimes committed in the subsequent cover up.

Perhaps some could have forgiven him for having a scandalous 'affaire d'amour' with an unstable woman trying to create a name for herself, but most would have a difficult time forgiving him for initiating a sexual rendezvous with the wife of one of the military's most respected men. Fortunately, it appears the highly decorated war hero and member of the 'Thirty' (the elite special forces group), never knew that while he was on the front line of battle risking his life for his country, his Commander-in-Chief was having sex with his wife. Before news of the affair leaked to the press, the most respected leader in the world ordered his mistress' husband to be sent to the front lines of battle and then deserted by his fellow soldiers…orders that lead to his brutal death. Adding insult to injury, the adulterous couple were married in a few short weeks, acting as if her obvious pregnant condition did not exist.

Conspiracy to commit murder and obstruction of justice would be bad enough if committed by someone devoid of all moral and ethical beliefs, but to be committed by someone with a reputation for being very outspoken about his religious beliefs is the most repugnant form of hypocrisy. His political opponents will certainly use this in their efforts to oust him.

This is not about the President of the United States. But! Suppose it was and it was true: what would be the outcome? What would happen to his career? What would this do to his 'spiritual' influence and reputation?

Though not about the President, the story is true. It is an account of crimes committed over 3000 years ago by the most renowned leader in Israel's history, recorded in the Bible in 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12. What happened to this man, King David, described in the Bible as 'a man after His (God's) own heart'? What did God do to him? What would we do to our President if he was guilty of the same crimes? The story of King David surprises many, but the 'rest of the story' tells us about one of the characteristics of God that we often fail to understand-forgiveness. Not only did God forgive King David, He allowed him to author the following excerpts from one of the most inspiring passages in Scripture.

A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (taken from Psalm 51)

Before we categorize these excerpts from David's psalm simply as nice way for a fallen leader to express sorrow and remorse, perhaps we should heed the words of Jesus…

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Luke 6:41-42 NIV)

…and remember He can do the same for us when we fall.