Let us read 2 Corinthians 9:8, “Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.” (ISV)
As we continue to study the word ‘overflowing’ we realize that the scripture does not talk about this overflow of blessings only at certain times, but at all times. Sometimes when there is famine in a nation, we might think that as believers we too must face the famine. However, as believers in the Lord Jesus we must understand that there is a huge difference between us and those around us. Therefore, even when there is famine in the nation, we have a God who is able to sustain us even through the famine. Not only on some days or at some times, but it is God’s will that we will have this overflow of blessing in every situation, and through all of our days.
The power of Elijah’s words
We read in 1 Kings 17:1, A prophet named Elijah, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to King Ahab, "In the name of the LORD, the living God of Israel, whom I serve, I tell you that there will be no dew or rain for the next two or three years until I say so." (GNB)
In the above mentioned verse Elijah, a Prophet of God spoke to Ahab, King of Israel and declared to him that there would be no rain or dew on the land until he said so. Elijah was bold enough to say that there would be no rain in the land until he said so.
There is a certain authority in the words we speak, that God has granted to us as his sons and daughters. We read in Proverbs 18:21,‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue.’
Elijah stood in God’s presence
Elijah also declared that he stood before King Ahab in the name of the Lord, which indicated that Elijah’s authority came from God. The reason Elijah was given this authority was because he stood in the presence of God.
Often we have no time to stand and wait in the presence of God, but are constantly running. Our days are so tightly scheduled we have no time to wait, and listen to God. Only when we stand in God’s presence can we hear what He has to say to us clearly. If we are the kind who are constantly on the run, it is time we took a break to listen to what the Lord has to say to us.
Elijah believed in the living God
Elijah referred to God as the living God of Israel. King Ahab had brought in the Baal’s and many other idols which were worshipped in the land of Israel. In a land filled with idolatry, the people lived in such a way that it was evident that they did not worship the living God.
How often when faced with challenges and hardships, there are many who make decisions that make it obvious that they do not believe that we worship a true and living God. The true test of our faith is only when we encounter challenges. How we handle them will be the evidence of our faith. It is easy to worship God and be regular at church when everything is going good, however, the real test is when we are hard-pressed with difficulties and trials. At those times the decisions we make will signify as to whether we truly have our faith in the fact that God is alive.
God’s authority versus the world’s authority
When Ahab who was the king of Israel met Elijah the Prophet of God, there were two authorities that met each other. One was the authority of the world and the other was God’s authority. King Ahab thought he could do anything because he had the authority to do so, and that no one could come against him. What Ahab failed to realize was that the authority that was bestowed on him was the authority given to him by God above.
Sadly there are many believers who want to do what they desire to do, and what they think is the right thing to do. There are many who live this way wherein they think that they are ‘kings’ of their lives, and will not submit to any authority. Some children too fall into this category when they chose to disobey their parents, and live in rebellion. Also there are some youth who after they come to a certain stage in their lives will not acknowledge all that their parents have done for them, and will choose to do their own thing. If we do not acknowledge that everything that is in our hands is given by God, we too will fall into this same trap. Have you noticed some young people doing a wheelie with their bikes in heavy traffic because they think that they have the freedom to do so? What they fail to realize is that the license they have to ride the bike was given to them by the transport authorities, and they have to abide by the rules failing which they will have to face the punishment from the cops who have the authority to cancel their license.
No matter who we are if we do not recognize the authority of God over our lives we will misuse the authority God has given to us. On the other hand if we do recognize that God has authority over us we will use the authority given to us well.
The Prophet Elijah declared to King Ahab, that though he might be in a high position as the king of Israel, it was not in his authority to bring down rain or stop the rain. He let King Ahab know in no uncertain terms that as a man of God, he stood in the authority that God had given to him and Ahab’s authority was subject to God’s supreme authority.
Obey God’s word implicitly
Elijah spoke these words to King Ahab, and left the palace immediately. He did not explain in great detail to King Ahab all that was in store for him and the people of Israel.
This is exactly how it is when we come to hear the word of God. As soon as we hear it, we must take it seriously, and obey God’s word as it comes to us. We should not wait for explanations. Have you observed toddlers who get so fascinated with the flame from a candle, and will want to touch it not knowing that the flame could burn them? Sometimes when these little ones don’t listen, they learn their lesson by putting their finger in the flame, and then understand the consequences of their action. Once this happens notice how they will come running with tears to their parents. So also, God will give us some instructions if we follow them implicitly without questioning it, it will be for our own good, or else the Lord will allow us to go through experiences that will be painful and teach us the same lesson we could have learnt earlier.
Notice how Elijah said to King Ahab that he spoke "In the name of the LORD, the living God of Israel, whom I serve, thereby affirming that while Ahab had a worldly authority, Elijah had come with the spiritual authority that God had endowed on him.
When Pilate and Jesus met
We read in John 19:11, Jesus answered him, "You have no authority over me at all, except what was given to you from above. (ISV)
Here too we notice how these two authorities came face to face with each other. Pilate was a Roman Governor who was a cruel and hard ruler. He was an atrocious ruler who did not stop at anything. When Pilate threatened Jesus that he could do anything, this was Jesus’ reply to him. Jesus was forthright when He told Pilate that he had no authority to do anything to Him, except what was given to him from above.
Only when we have a proper understanding of the authority that is given to us will we be able to use it the right way as God purposed for us to use it.
What do you think should have been the response of Pilate to such a statement from Jesus? One would think that he would have got angry and done something drastic. Interestingly, this was his response as we read in John 19:12, “From then on, Pilate tried to release him ...” (ISV)
Suddenly, Pilate realized that his authority was nothing in front of Jesus who claimed that His authority was from above.
As children of God we must understand that when we do not submit to worldly authorities there are consequences, how much more when we do not obey the spiritual authority that God has established over us.
A centurion who understood God’s authority
We read in Matthew 8:5, “Jesus went to the city of Capernaum. When he entered the city, an army officer came to him and begged for help.”(ISV)
Here was an army officer who was a centurion who had hundred soldiers under his command.
This man comes to Jesus with a request as found in Matthew 8:6, The officer said, "Lord, my servant is very sick at home in bed. He can't move his body and has much pain." (ISV)
This army officer came to Jesus with a request to heal his servant who was paralyzed, and in much pain. There is a certain authority for politician or a doctor, but this centurion who was a man of authority, knew that there was only one person who had authority over the sickness that his servant was suffering from and that is why he came searching for Jesus.
Jesus said to the centurion, Matthew 8:7 "I will go and heal him." (ISV)
The response of the centurion is what is astounding as found in Matthew 8:8-9, The officer answered, "Lord, I am not good enough for you to come into my house. You need only to give the order, and my servant will be healed. I know this, because I understand authority. There are people who have authority over me, and I have soldiers under my authority. I tell one soldier, 'Go,' and he goes. I tell another soldier, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and my servant obeys me." (ISV)
This man’s response to Jesus was that there was no need for Him to come to his house as He recognized that one word from Jesus had the authority to heal the servant instantly. The centurion could have gone to anyone but he understood the authority that was with Jesus. He explained to Jesus that being a man in authority, he knew exactly how that authority functioned. Just a word to any soldier under him was sure to give him the needed results. What he confessed to Jesus was that he knew that Jesus had such kind of authority to heal the terrible condition of his servant with just a word.
Many of us have been believers for many long years, but have still not comprehended the authority that is in God’s word and as long as we do not understand this there will be no dramatic change in our lives.
Jesus was so astounded by this centurion’s response that He said in Matthew 8:10, When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those who were with him, "The truth is, this man has more faith than anyone I have found, even in Israel. (ISV)
In those days when everyone wanted Jesus to touch them or come to their house to heal the ones who were sick, here was a man who understood the authority of Jesus’ words. No wonder Jesus said that He had not seen such faith even among the people of Israel. Faith is the recognition of the authority that is given to God, and the way it functions. The word reminds us that this faith can overcome the world.
When the centurion honored Jesus for his authority, the need was met in a most miraculous way.
As believers we have a tendency to hold on to those things that are suitable for us, and to let go of things that are not comfortable for us. Think about all the places where people are not submissive to your authority? If this is true then maybe there are areas in your life that you have to set right to be submissive to the authority that God has set over you.
How often in church too we don’t come on time, don’t take time to take notes of the sermon or to attend the weekly prayers and bible studies. These are the days when we should pray much for our nation. Every time the Lord gives us counsel to pray we must make the best use of it.
It is important that we obey and submit to God’s authority, but it is equally important that we also submit to the authority of those whom God has placed over us. This is one sure way that the overflowing blessings of God will be poured out on our lives.
The son who did not submit to authority
We read in Luke 15:14, And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.(ESV)
When the younger son refused to submit to the authority of his father and walked away, we see that he began to be in need. He probably did not like the rules and regulations that were set in his home, and he wanted his freedom.
Many young people are wanting this freedom where there are no rules or any sort of discipline over their lives. Until God’s appointed time it is good that we submit to the authority that God has placed over us.
Elijah obeyed God
After Elijah had spoken the word of God to King Ahab and told him that there would be no dew or rain in the land of Israel except at his word, he walked away from there. The Prophet Elijah established firmly to King Ahab that his earthly authority had to come under God’s supreme authority.
We then read in 1 Kings 17:2-3, “Then the LORD said to Elijah, "Leave this place and go east and hide yourself near Cherith Brook, east of the Jordan.” (GNB)
Elijah had to do as God bid him to. When God told Elijah to go to Ahab he did as God told him to do. After he had done that God told Ahab to take the next step, and hide himself near the Cherith Brook, east of Jordan.
Generally the Lord will only show us one step at a time, and will not show us the end. Only as we obey the first step will God reveal to us the next steps. If we are not willing to obey God in the first step we cannot expect that He will open the windows of heaven, and rain down His blessings on us.
Notice how Elijah did not in any way get elated nor did he get his identity from confronting the King of Israel. There are many who are not aware of their own worth before God, and think that if they can take pictures with celebrities or well-known people hoping that this would give a boost to their own status.
Elijah may have wondered why God wanted him to go and hide after such an encounter with the king of Israel. There were no questions from Elijah because he trusted in God and knew it was for his own good.
Sometimes God will give us those encounters with kings, and sometimes the Lord will allow us to be in those lonely places of solitude. We should not expect that we will always be in those places of prominence for only in obedience to God are we assured that He will supply all of our needs.
Elijah had miraculous provision
We read in 1 Kings 17:4, The brook will supply you with water to drink, and I have commanded ravens to bring you food there." (GNB)
God told Elijah that only in the place that God had appointed for him was he assured of having food to eat and water to drink.
Once the brook dried up, the Lord asked Elijah to go to Zarephath where the Lord used a widow to provide food for Elijah.
The Lord wants us to be in the place that He has appointed for us, and we too must desire to be in the center of His will for our lives. Only in that place will we find security, provision and all that we need.
We learnt three things in this message. Firstly, we must obey the spiritual authorities that God has placed over us, and this we must do not only when it appeals to us, but even when it doesn’t.
Secondly, only when we walk in obedience to God can we experience this life of overflowing abundance. Elijah obeyed and God used ravens to feed him. When we walk in obedience the Lord will use the most unexpected ways to supply our needs. As soon as we are in need our minds race to think of those whom we can approach to help us. Think about God’s ways - the raven which usually pecks food out of our hands was used by God to feed the Prophet of God. If God can do such miracles, He can also turn the hearts of people so that they will favor you and help you.
Thirdly, God is able to supply our needs in any situation. He can take care of us and provide for us in a palace, in the town or even in a remote place near a quiet brook.
May we as children of God learn to walk in obedience to spiritual authorities that God has placed over us and live in obedience to God’s word, and surely the Lord will bless us with overflowing abundance, and keep us in a place of bountiful blessings.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
