God’s Sovereign Power and Bestowed Authority
As autumn descends, leaves fall gracefully to the ground. Each one “submits” to the next stage of its existence as a compost for new things to come. Of course, this isn’t a conscious decision for the leaves. They bend to the call of nature. But for humans, change and rebirth present differently. Because ur holy submission involves full engagement of heart and mind. And as we choose to submit, we humbly give ourselves to God. So, effectively positioned, we then stand in God’s sovereign power and bestowed authority.
Identifying the Origin of Divine Power
Indeed, this act of submission we may choose is far less automatic than that of a leaf floating to the ground. The first step involves acknowledging the one and only source of divine power. Without a doubt, God preceded everything He created. We read in John 1:1 that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the word was God.” And in verse 4 John reminds us that “in him was life, and the life was the light of men.” In Acts 17:28 we’re reminded that “in him we live and move and have our being.” Clearly without God none of us would be here. It’s arguably a simplistic but true statement important to reflect on as we consider the source of divine authority.
So, in light of this truth, it’s easy to concede that God truly deserves our honor, praise and submission to His authority. “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1. Accordingly, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 28:18 that “all authority in heaven and earth is given” to Him by His father.
What Divine Authority Looks Like
So often we can miss the mark as we relate to God. There is a tenuous balance between deep relationship and communion with God. And remembering that He is the Lord of the universe and that we can’t begin to understand or even begin to relate to His sovereignty.
I think one of my favorite passages about God’s inimitable power is in Matthew 8. In Verse 27, after the disciples see Jesus calm a storm with a single command, they rightly ask “what kind of man is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” Of course we know there is no other kind of “man” like Him. He is part of the triune God. Our Lord created the world in seven days. His almighty power parted large seas, flooded the entire earth and raised men from the dead. It can heal the sick and save all mankind from eternal damnation. What it doesn’t do is insinuate itself without invitation. God operates within the framework of free will in the lives of those who commit, obey and desire deep relationship.
Agreeing to Submit to God’s Authority
Because God wants genuine followers, not posers or lemmings. Posers want to be a part of the crowd. Lemmings imitate the rodent in front of them. Likewise, Christians who genuinely follow God still have another level of effectiveness available to them. It’s their ability to fully walk in God’s authority. But it’s a choice they have to make. For years, I misunderstood this when mentioned in scripture or Christian circles. I falsely presumed people who called on or claimed to walk in the authority of Christ were puffed up or misguided. I felt like they positioned themselves as self made demigods doing good works and equating themselves as God in their own minds.
But I’ve come to realize it’s actually the opposite. A true servant of God empties themselves out completely. Then, they fill themselves to the brim with the Holy Spirit. And credit God as the source of their power and strength. The authority they walk in isn’t theirs at all; it belongs fully to God. They are the hands and feet but He dispenses the power. And the only reason they walk in it is because they understand this dynamic and fully rely on the only true divine power source. In Philippians 2:6, Paul reminds us that Jesus himself, “being in the very nature of God…made himself nothing…humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.”
Jesus modeled the kind of submission God expects from servants who walk in His authority. He told the disciples in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19. Consequently, in Luke 9:1 we read that Jesus “called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases…” which they did. And in Titus 2:15, Paul, under God’s authority himself, instructs Christ followers to “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
So many Christ followers today assume that this authority was meant only for the 12 disciples. Or those who worked under them. Yet these men were actually simply willing, emptied out servants sold out to God. They understood the sovereignty of God. They emptied themselves out. And were ready and willing to fill themselves up with the Holy Spirit and walk in God’s authority. Servants of God today have access to that as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:19-21. There he states “God’s power for us who believe in him..the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead…” is available for us. What an amazing truth!
Praying & Wade into High Water With Confidence
When servants of God position themselves under the authority of God, they are ready to walk in it. You might be wondering how one prepares to walk in God’s authority. Confession and prayer set the tone for empowerment by and service to God. Daniel offered up a model prayer that provides a great start. He started by acknowledging God, thanking and praising Him and acknowledging His help. The prayer (in part) states:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might…he changes times and seasons…sets up kings and deposes them…gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things…I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have made known to me what we asked of you…”
Praying the verses of authority mentioned above also remind us exactly where the power comes from before we are ready to act under God’s authority. Another part of serving under God’s authority is continually seeking His will and next steps as we undergo our individual assignments. Moses was under God’s authority when God told him to stretch out his staff to levy the plagues on the Egyptians.
Even so, when Moses struck his staff on a rock, instead of speaking to God as God told Moses to do in Numbers 20:11, Moses learned he would not be going into the promised land as planned. When we work without being under God’s authority, even in what appear to us as small things, God is not glorified. Our work is diminished at best and ineffective at worst.
After reading this, you might still be wondering if you are worthy of acting and serving under God’s authority. But the real question to ask is are we humble enough to admit God is God and we are not? Are we willing to do whatever God asks, no matter how foolish it may appear or what it might cost us? And finally, are we submitted to putting His will and His ways above all else? Are we ready to accomplish His purposes rather than ours?
We might sometimes miss the mark when the stakes are this high. But perseverance and all out devotion to Him prepare us to walk in God’s Sovereign power and bestowed authority. From Him be the power. To Him be the glory. And to us be the honor – to partner with Him in whatever kingdom work He sets before us.
