ORIGIN OF AUTHORITY
Things can unexpectedly change in the blink of an eye. Joseph goes from being slave in prison to prime minister of Egypt, an unbelievable transformation within a day.
So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. (Genesis 41:38,39,40)
The whole process was set up by the many years of discipline, faith and godliness that was intrinsic to Joseph’s life. Even when he went through adversity that was brought on him for no fault of his, he was able to accept it as the sovereign will of God and see God’s wisdom in allowing it. He did not complain but rather persevered when thrown into prison, never losing hope in the God who ordains all things and makes all things good. When God chooses a person, it up to that person to order his life in such a way that the spirit of God can dwell freely in him. Joseph was such a person and even Pharaoh who though not a believer of God, but albeit a smart man, could sense that presence. There is no greater testimony for a disciple than to have others declare that the spirit of God dwells in him. And that is the precursor to authority.
The presence of God leads to wisdom. The Pharaoh says that God revealed all things to Joseph and in doing so; Joseph became wiser than all others. With a finite mind, man has the challenge of planning into the future, which he cannot see. With a limited mind, he has to account for uncertainties beyond his knowledge and reach. Living life with what you see is normal, being able to live life with what you do not see is special, and that requires the wisdom from God. This wisdom was freely available to Joseph as the presence of God dwelt unhindered within him. When God’s wisdom becomes real, the disciple becomes wiser than others and he is at an advantage.
The presence of wisdom makes way for authority. Pharaoh elevates Joseph to the highest place in Egypt and gives him authority over the kingdom. The Pharaoh was wise and in doing so, became rich, more powerful and was able to save his land and his people during the famine. Authority is the ability to overcome obstacles and move forward. It is the ability to enforce what you wish to happen. In an ideal world that is completely submissive to God, all authority would belong to God and man would derive God’s authority and make things happen in this world. In the fallen world we live in, God is still over all, but by his own will he has elected to give authority to whoever is a beneficiary of man’s will. Over the years, there are powers that have come to rule the world and wield authority. A disciple’s challenge is to stick to God and derive his wisdom and authority from God, so that he can move forward and enforce God’s will on earth. This leads to abundance for one and all.
Today while the disciple wrestles with many issues including the pandemic that shows no sign of subsiding, or of liberal, godless movements that appear to gain in strength each day, he needs to re-commit to let God dwell within, to derive God’s wisdom and exercise his authority on earth.
