Perspective, Persistence, Power – Part 4

I could not help but to write an extra piece on power (Dumanis: Dynamite). I watched a film, “First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers,” I was touched, and it looked like I was slicing onions in the kitchen; if you know what I mean. Documentaries like this and many others highlight the dangers of power getting into the wrong hands. One might argue, these sort of atrocities do not happen in the 21st Century, well, let me remind you of what is going on in Syria; a civil war brought on by one man or family wanting to hold on to power; even to the point of engaging in slaughtering its own people for the past 7 years, almost eliminating a generation.

How about in Zimbabwe, where a leader thinks he has the sovereign right to rule. In other words this man is saying, there is no other person capable of ruling or transferring power to. Power does not belong to one single person; “all power belongs to God.” In the nation of Zimbabwe, people are suffering and dying of starvation, yet this one man!!!.  People are fleeing their countries from dictatorship, risking their lives over the high seas to escape. Excuse me for ranting just a little bit, its painful to watch and see injustice.

And how about the country of Nigeria, where the political, elected officials continue to abuse the power of office. And instead of standing up to these corrupt officials, some of them are praised and celebrated. Power is not to enslave, but to set the captives free. Listen to what the Bible says, “With good men in authority, the people rejoice; but with the wicked in power, they groan.” Read Proverbs 29:2 (TLB). In other words, a corrupt leader is a wicked (hostile) leader. Beloved, when would we heed the words of scriptures? The word of God comes, and gives you and I an assignment. And our assignment is clear, “The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” Read Psalm 11:3 (NLT). Well, I will tell you what we can do, check it out, “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” Read 2 Chronicles 7:14(AMPC). Brethren, this statement holds true today, and one which we must heed!

Standing idle is not an option, neither is being indifferent. Recall Abram, “When Abram heard that [his nephew] had been captured, he armed (led forth) the 318 trained servants born in his own house and pursued the enemy as far as Dan…” Read Genesis 14:14 (AMPC). In other words, we can rally people from our own circle of influence, and seek to re-write history, by being the true light and salt of the earth.

Watch this, when Christians begin to show we care, the world will take notice, else it would just be like for like gathering every Sunday and not being effective. I just sense we have a moment in time, and a window opened, and we can’t let it pass. Let us wake up and shake off our deliberate indifference to the ills of society.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for a release of your power as we embrace the mantle of leadership in our respective areas to influence our communities and nations in a greater measure in the Name of Jesus. Amen. Father I pray, as we uphold every elected leader, Your word will permeate their hearts and mind in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.