Where Is God In All of This?
We had a great Kid’s Club and Bible Study last night with 3 new visitors in attendance. I felt like I struggled last night explaining my position on the last 4 parables in Matthew 13. However, this morning I read Gary Geiger’s comment that he posted last night on the message, and I have to tell you, I think he gives a crystal clear and accurate interpretation. Make sure you read it. (Note – it shows up as a comment under the post Amnon Had a Friend)
Today’s Reading – 2 Samuel 16 – 18
As I read this account of the Absalem’s rebellion, I am reminded of a church business meeting that took place nearly 20 years ago. I was a brand new Christian and what I saw in that meeting almost caused me to “lose my religion” and walk away from church altogether. People were shouting at each other and insulting each other; and I remember thinking to myself, where is God in all of this? In fact, I remember meeting Mrs. Stahl out in the parking lot and she felt the same way I did.
In this text, I don’t see anyone except David being concerned with God’s will. It seems the entire cast of characters are completely carnal, acting much the same way that the unsaved people out in the world do. Absalem is trying to kill his father, the king; the one whom God anointed to be the ruler of the people. The people are all choosing sides. However, for the most part, their criteria for choosing is based not on God’s will; but rather on which kingdom is going to give them a better deal. Rumors are flying that the descendants of Saul are even going to try to regain their kingdom. It was a mess! In fact, many of David’s friends dropped him like a hot potato because they thought Absalem was going to win.
The bottom line: David was still God’s choice. God had not annointed Absalem or anybody else for that matter. The people had no right to go against God by launching a rebellion against His annointed. David certainly was not a perfect man (what human is?); but he was God’s man. According to Hebrews we are to remember, obey, and salute those that have the rule over us. You say, but what if they are doing wrong? Then talk to them, pray for them, and help them see your position; but don’t launch a rebellion against them. God will take care of it.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 5 comments.
Learning to trust the God given authorities in my life has been very hard for me. I always think I know better than they do.Especially when I see them obviously going against the Lord. The Lord has used this struggle to teach me to not look at the person but to keep my eyes on Him and maintain a teachable spirit. I am not accountable to Him for the actions of others I am only accountable to Him for my own behavior. It is not easy to love when we have been hurt. The Lord promises to heal the broken hearted and promises to work all things together for good. I would not have been able to claim these precious promises in my life if I had never had struggles and hurts. The story of David and King Saul is a perfect example to me of how God can enable anyone who has the right heart attitude toward Him to obey the authorities He has put over them because I am really trusting in God to work through that authority. It is not easy for me to be humble and to yeild tothe Lords working in my life but as I pray and ask The Lord to enable me He is faithful and I reap His awesome blessings.Its a wonderful Life!
I just want to say that most of the time when i read the bible it usually goes right over my head, or i find that i am just reading the words and not the message…….but now i look forward to my daily bible reading and this blog has made it so much easier for me to understand because i can see the daily devotional and read others imput!! It also helps me feel connected to my family and friends…Thanks dad!!! love you guys
I think learning to obey people in authority has always seemed so easy to me. Being raised in a Christian home, and having this church to grow up in, made it that way. I never thought that as I got older, it would be possible to have the wrong authority in my life. Sometimes I open my life up for discussion with either unsaved family members or even people at work. I take what they say to heart sometimes, and God quickly reminds me that I am listening to the wrong authority. Getting advice from people who arent saved is simply not the way to go. God has helped me to just go to him with everything, and stop running everywhere to get answers. In the end God has all the answers! have a great day!!
Sorry for the length I am not sleeping at night so I have plenty of uninterupted time to allow my mind to express itself freely. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on Authority:
This authority problem started in the Garden.
When Adam and Eve were presented with the temptation to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they had a crisis of authority. God had spoken clearly and asserted his authority to create the rules in His universe. He had forbidden them to eat from that particular tree, and they were expected to obey. But when the serpent came along, he encouraged Adam and Eve to distrust God’s authority. He questioned both God’s truthfulness and His care for Adam and Eve and held out a seductive and ultimately disastrous alternative. (I am Guilty; are you?)
Well, as we know, Adam and Eve failed to resist temptation. Given the opportunity to throw off the shackles of God’s law and follow their own desires, thus installing themselves as their highest authority, they jumped in with both feet. And since that time, men and women have spent their lives perfecting the craft of rebellion. From Cain to the tower of Babel to Sodom to our day, human beings have lived their lives in conscious rebellion against God’s authority. As a result, we see flagrant disregard for God and His authority throughout the world and in our private lives. (I am Guilty; are you?)
But there is one particularly subtle, more socially acceptable way that our distrust for God’s authority manifests itself. According to the Bible, when we show disrespect for human authority we are actually rejecting the authority of God Himself. The Bible is clear that all human authority is established by God. Therefore, it demands our respect and obedience. (I am Guilty, are you?)
Given that God’s Word is clear on this matter, why do we find it so difficult to respect the authority in our lives? And why do we find rebellion against human authority so natural and easy? I have two ideas why:
First, human authority is often abused and misused. A huge proportion of the world’s governments are corrupt. Many husbands are cruel to their wives. Some parents abuse their children or lack personal and moral character. Church leaders sometimes manipulate and harm the very congregations they are called to shepherd. Because human authority is exercised by fallen men and women, there will always be abuse and incompetence that tempts us to disrespect and rebel. Abuse most-times goes unnoticed because of the circle of protection most abusers surround themselves with, which enables them to continue abusing without having to face the consequences of their actions. We see this with the Catholic Church and from time to time news reports of abuse even from independent, fundamental, Baptist church leaders. Unchecked power and unchecked pride if not held in check is capable of killing 6 million people. I wonder how many people I have killed or abused by my misuse of authority; how many people have you done this to? (I am Guilty, are you?)
Second, we are proud. Even when authority is exercised in an appropriate way, we naturally desire to rule ourselves. In our pride, we often think that we know best and, therefore, being required to submit to a government or parent or husband or church leader feels humiliating. And so we bristle against authority. Satan in the garden said “You will be like God” Our pride drives all of us to be exactly that, and once we think we have arrived we will stop at nothing less than murder to keep our position and continue doing what we have established. The only problem is; it was established in Pride, through Satan and it there for can only be used for evil not for good. (How many of us are willing to fight to the death so as to not lose anything that we have acuminated? Did we receive it through Satan or from God?) (I am Guilty; are you?)
So what should we do about our natural problem with authority?
First, resolve to honor God by humbling yourself and honoring those in authority over you. God doesn’t primarily encourage us to obey human authority because it is worthy of our respect in and of itself. Instead, he roots his commands in His own authority. So we are to obey the government because God has established it. When we show respect to our political leaders (even though we may not be thrilled about their policy decisions), we are showing that we trust God’s wisdom and we respect His authority. When church members show respect for their God-given leaders, they show their confidence in God and His decision making process. When children honor their parents, they are showing that they honor the God who gave them these guardians. Our current President is a prime example. If we make negative comments as I’m sure we all do we mine as well are telling God that he messed up, made a mistake. Our comments, however subtle, go against our belief and God’s commandment to honor those who have authority over you. (I have failed to respect authority, have you?)
Second, learn to trust God’s authority. It is good that God runs the universe and you and I don’t. We lack the wisdom, power, and knowledge to order the world. God does not. So learn to trust him and honor Him. He has promised that he has instituted authority for our benefit (see Romans 13:4, Proverbs 3:1-2), and so we should trust Him. When we rebel against those in authority over us, we rebel against God. (I am guilty of this; are you?)
So let us resolve to be people who honor those in authority over us. Let our comments about our political leaders be seasoned with respect for the authority God has given them. Let us speak respectfully of and to our parents, church leaders, husbands, and all those whom God has established as authority figures in our lives. And in so doing, we will honor God Himself. (Please pray for me within this area. I have asked for prayer, I wonder how many of you will humiliate your prideful hearts and ask for prayer also in this area?) WHY???; Because I am Guilty of this; are you?)
gonna try another pill I’m up to 3 pills. If I don’t wake up I’ll let you all know how it all turns out.
I think learning to obey people in authority has always seemed so easy to me. Being raised in a Christian home, and having this church to grow up in, made it that way. I never thought that as I got older, it would be possible to have the wrong authority in my life. Sometimes I open my life up for discussion with either unsaved family members or even people at work. I take what they say to heart sometimes, and God quickly reminds me that I am listening to the wrong authority. Getting advice from people who arent saved is simply not the way to go. God has helped me to just go to him with everything, and stop running everywhere to get answers. In the end God has all the answers! have a great day!!