(Prov 24:21,22 GNB) Fear GOD, dear child—respect your leaders; don’t be defiant or mutinous. Without warning your life can turn upside-down, and who knows how or when it might happen?
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 30th Saying and final saying from this portion of Proverbs. Here Solomon teaches us about something that I believe is lacking in today’s society, and that is the respect for authority. If you teach about fearing/respecting God and His divine authority as Supreme Ruler, you won’t get much pushback. However, if you talk about respecting the authority of other humans, many of today’s so-called progressive thinkers will balk.
I am convinced that learning to honor authority is a key to walking in God’s blessing. There are many examples of this in scripture, but for the sake of time, I will give you just one. One day Jesus was out-an-about doing what He normally did: healing the sick, inspiring the disillusioned, uplifting the discouraged, instructing the lost, and providing direction for the wayward. As Jesus went about ministering He encountered a Roman Centurion (a Captain or Company Commander). The Commander had a servant at home who was sick and he came to Jesus for help. First of all, we need to understand the context so that we can get a feel for how significant this was. Israel was under the captivity of the Romans; a conquered state at the time. Rome was in charge and the Israelites were subservient to them. For a Roman officer to approach an Israelite for help was highly unlikely and quite possibly unprecedented. But the Centurion did it because he understood authority and honor.
When Jesus heard of the sick servant he was prepared to travel to the Commander’s house to heal the man, but the Centurion said something that amazed Jesus. He said, “I am not even worthy for You to come to my house.” Wait a minute. Remember, the Jews were basically the servants of the Romans, but this Commander acknowledged who Jesus was and He honored it. The Centurion went on to say: “Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my servants, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” In other words, what the Commander was saying is: “Sir, I understand authority. They have placed me in authority, because I learned how to be under authority. Since I obeyed the orders of those over me, I now have people that obey what I say. And all those who are under my authority are subject to my commands. I simply say it and they must do it. Now, I perceive that you have authority over sickness. I don’t. If I did I would simply speak to the sickness, but I can’t because I don’t have that type of authority. But since You do, all I need you to do is speak a word of healing and I am convinced that my servant will be healed.” When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following Him, He said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God is a God of order and He orderly operates through authority.
2. You will never be placed in a position of authority until you learn how to submit to authority.
3. In God’s eyes rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft (1st Sam 15:23).
4. You are to continue what Jesus started. He gave you the ability to operate in the same authority He operated in, but you will never see the fullness of that authority if you can’t learn to respect and honor both spiritual and secular authority.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. I see the importance of submitting to authority. I fear, honor, and respect You with my whole heart. I also respect and honor those You have blessed to be in positions of authority in the earth. I will not lose my blessing by rebelling against authority. As I prove to You that I can serve the authority You have given others, You will bless me to be in positions where people will serve the authority You give me. I am in authority, because I am UNDER authority. I am able to lead, because I know how to follow. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
