TITLE: RESPECT SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
SCRIPTURE: He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm (Psalm 105:14-15).
MESSAGE:
In Numbers 12:1-16, the Bible recounts the incident when Aaron and Miriam opposed Moses due to his Cushite wife, challenging his authority and claiming they too could speak for God. In response, God summoned them, along with Moses, to the Tabernacle.
Within the Tabernacle, God manifested as a pillar of cloud, reprimanding Aaron and Miriam while affirming Moses’ unique role as His chosen servant. God emphasized that unlike other prophets who received messages through visions and dreams, He communicated directly with Moses, revealing His glory. God questioned Aaron and Miriam for daring to oppose His chosen servant.
It’s crucial to note the consequence of their actions: “the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; AND HE DEPARTED” (Numbers 12:9). When God’s presence departs due to disobedience, trouble follows. Many fail to recognize when God’s presence leaves them, especially when they act unruly, sow discord, or disrespect spiritual authority within the house of God.
This reminds us of the story of Samson, who lost God’s favor when he disobeyed. Samson wrongly assumed he could break free from his enemies as he always had, unaware that the LORD had departed from him (Judges 16:20 GNT). Without the Spirit of God upon him, his enemies overpowered him, taking his sight.
It is vital to consistently honor the Lord, follow His Word and ways, and refrain from dishonoring spiritual authority, as exemplified by Aaron and Miriam. Refrain from speaking against God’s ministers or passing judgment, remembering Romans 14:4: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for my leaders and those you’ve placed in positions of authority over me to nurture, train, and bring me up in the path of truth and righteousness. I willingly yield to the guidance and direction they provide by the Spirit. Your nature of love AND humility of Christ are manifest in and through me always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
Romans 13:1-3
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Acts 23:1-5
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men [and] brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, AND commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
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