I grew up in a day when all authority was questioned. In fact, in the late 60's and early 70's a lot of those authority structures were relegated to the ash heap. Sadly those who were tearing things down did not have a vision for its alternative. It was easy to tear down, but to build something more virtuous in its place was a more challenging accomplishment which was never realized.
From a biblical perspective authority is not a bad thing. It is how you use your authority that matters. (That may, in fact, have been the reason authority was attacked and torn down. Authority that is abused is never a pretty thing, and in time will not be tolerated.) The author of all authority is our God. By virtue of His being Creator of all things, He has the right to rule and reign over His creation. He has the right to exercise authority, and the testimony of Scripture suggests that He has always used it well.
The author of all authority also has the right to share his authority with others. God does that, sharing His authority with government leaders, employers, parents, church leaders and others. This in itself is not problematic; it is a good thing. The problem comes when those given authority cease to use that authority for the purposes of the Creator and the good of other creatures.
That's why I found Psalm 72 so refreshing today. Here is a man with great authority - a king - whose desire is to use it well. Note the following from the passage:
1. First he prays for God's justice and righteousness. By this I mean that the king is asking God for grace to judge or rule his people in righteousness. That is always a good starting place for one who wants to use authority appropriately.
2. He uses his authority to defend the cause of the poor, to give deliverance to the children of the needy and to crush the oppressor. Instead of using his authority for his own advantage, he uses it to make better the lives of those who are needy and often unable to improve their lot in life. This is so much like our Lord who used His authority to lay down His life, so that all needy sinners might be lifted up to newness of life.
3. He wants to be a blessing to his people. In verse 6-7 the king asks that he be like rain on the mown grasss and like showers on the earth. He desires to use his position to help all of his people; to see their lives prosper, grow and flourish.
4. He wants to use his authority to further righteousness and peace in the land. Again this is so like God in His Son, Jesus, who left the abode of heaven to bring favor with God and peace among men.
Hopefully you see glimpses here, not of an authority that you are compelled to resist, but rather an irrestible authority - an authority that is so compelling that you are drawn to come under it and bask in its goodness. This is true of our Lord's authority. When we come to see how good the Lord is to His creatures; when we come to see the depth of His love and mercy, we no longer want to break free from that authority, but we gladly surrender all. Have you seen the Lord's irrestible authority and have you come joyfully under it?
And if you have, are you now reflecting that kind of authority in your relationships? Husbands, parents, employers, church leader, leader of government - is your authority reflecting the benevolence of the One who gave it to you? Whatever your answer is to these questions take time today and pray like the king from Psalm 72 that the Lord gives you His spirit of justice and righteousness.
From a biblical perspective authority is not a bad thing. It is how you use your authority that matters. (That may, in fact, have been the reason authority was attacked and torn down. Authority that is abused is never a pretty thing, and in time will not be tolerated.) The author of all authority is our God. By virtue of His being Creator of all things, He has the right to rule and reign over His creation. He has the right to exercise authority, and the testimony of Scripture suggests that He has always used it well.
The author of all authority also has the right to share his authority with others. God does that, sharing His authority with government leaders, employers, parents, church leaders and others. This in itself is not problematic; it is a good thing. The problem comes when those given authority cease to use that authority for the purposes of the Creator and the good of other creatures.
That's why I found Psalm 72 so refreshing today. Here is a man with great authority - a king - whose desire is to use it well. Note the following from the passage:
1. First he prays for God's justice and righteousness. By this I mean that the king is asking God for grace to judge or rule his people in righteousness. That is always a good starting place for one who wants to use authority appropriately.
2. He uses his authority to defend the cause of the poor, to give deliverance to the children of the needy and to crush the oppressor. Instead of using his authority for his own advantage, he uses it to make better the lives of those who are needy and often unable to improve their lot in life. This is so much like our Lord who used His authority to lay down His life, so that all needy sinners might be lifted up to newness of life.
3. He wants to be a blessing to his people. In verse 6-7 the king asks that he be like rain on the mown grasss and like showers on the earth. He desires to use his position to help all of his people; to see their lives prosper, grow and flourish.
4. He wants to use his authority to further righteousness and peace in the land. Again this is so like God in His Son, Jesus, who left the abode of heaven to bring favor with God and peace among men.
Hopefully you see glimpses here, not of an authority that you are compelled to resist, but rather an irrestible authority - an authority that is so compelling that you are drawn to come under it and bask in its goodness. This is true of our Lord's authority. When we come to see how good the Lord is to His creatures; when we come to see the depth of His love and mercy, we no longer want to break free from that authority, but we gladly surrender all. Have you seen the Lord's irrestible authority and have you come joyfully under it?
And if you have, are you now reflecting that kind of authority in your relationships? Husbands, parents, employers, church leader, leader of government - is your authority reflecting the benevolence of the One who gave it to you? Whatever your answer is to these questions take time today and pray like the king from Psalm 72 that the Lord gives you His spirit of justice and righteousness.
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