At a different time and a less “politically correct” day, there was a host of characters who were part of the folklore of the South. “The name Joel Chandler Harris may not be as familiar to some as the characters he immortalized. For over a century, Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and the Tar Baby have played tricks on each other, visited the Laughing Place and generally cut up and carried on as told by Uncle Remus. The stories appeared in newspapers, storybooks, a Disney film and in oral tradition. Though the stories about this cast of characters originated on Southern plantations and were the stories slaves told their children, Harris, then an associate editor at the Atlanta Constitution, began writing the stories down and publishing them…” One of the instincts and characteristics of Brer Rabbit was his ability to “lay-low” when that would serve his purposes best. Governor Mark Sanford needs to learn a lesson or two from Brer Rabbit.
Mark Sanford erred! How? Governor Sanford told members of his cabinet in a session called so he could apologize to them in person and tell them the business of government must continue. The Associated Press reports: “…he brushed aside any suggestion he might immediately resign, citing the Bible and the story of King David — who continued to lead after sleeping with another man's wife, Bathsheba, having the husband slain, then marrying the widow.” He reportedly said: “What I find interesting is the story of David, and the way in which he fell mightily — fell in very, very significant ways, but then picked up the pieces and built from there…” That is a convenient reference and re-write of what happened with King David.
God was displeased with David and sent the Prophet Nathan to David. "Why have you despised the word of God, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife…” The prophet addresses the Lust, Adultery, Scheming, and Plot to Murder which had occurred! David had to be brought very low. PSALM 32 and PSALM 51 are some of the commentary about this incident in David’s life. If Governor Sanford wants to base his life on that of David, where is the evidence of Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 in his life? Where is the genuine repentance? Note some of King David’s turmoil of soul as he processed his sins before his God - -
PSALM 32 - -
1 A psalm of David. “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. 6 Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment…”
PSALM 51 - -
“…Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight… 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice. 9 Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you…”
One thing Governor Sanford has right is a comment he made about his betrayed wife, Jenny: “I'd simply say that Jenny has been absolutely magnanimous and gracious as a wonderful Christian woman in this process." To her credit, Jenny is focused on the “character of her four sons”, not the continuance of her husband in his elected office. Hooray for Jenny! Pray for Jenny and her boys! Pray for Governor Sanford that he may deal with his sin and repent of it! Consider these things with me!
Mark Sanford erred! How? Governor Sanford told members of his cabinet in a session called so he could apologize to them in person and tell them the business of government must continue. The Associated Press reports: “…he brushed aside any suggestion he might immediately resign, citing the Bible and the story of King David — who continued to lead after sleeping with another man's wife, Bathsheba, having the husband slain, then marrying the widow.” He reportedly said: “What I find interesting is the story of David, and the way in which he fell mightily — fell in very, very significant ways, but then picked up the pieces and built from there…” That is a convenient reference and re-write of what happened with King David.
God was displeased with David and sent the Prophet Nathan to David. "Why have you despised the word of God, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife…” The prophet addresses the Lust, Adultery, Scheming, and Plot to Murder which had occurred! David had to be brought very low. PSALM 32 and PSALM 51 are some of the commentary about this incident in David’s life. If Governor Sanford wants to base his life on that of David, where is the evidence of Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 in his life? Where is the genuine repentance? Note some of King David’s turmoil of soul as he processed his sins before his God - -
PSALM 32 - -
1 A psalm of David. “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. 6 Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment…”
PSALM 51 - -
“…Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight… 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice. 9 Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you…”
One thing Governor Sanford has right is a comment he made about his betrayed wife, Jenny: “I'd simply say that Jenny has been absolutely magnanimous and gracious as a wonderful Christian woman in this process." To her credit, Jenny is focused on the “character of her four sons”, not the continuance of her husband in his elected office. Hooray for Jenny! Pray for Jenny and her boys! Pray for Governor Sanford that he may deal with his sin and repent of it! Consider these things with me!
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