No Thanks! I Would Rather Have the Grungies!

“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” (Col. 1:11-12).

Hey Gang:  I don’t have a clue how many times I have read these verses but, for some reason, they really clicked this morning. 

  

  What does “strengthened with power” mean to you?  In my sojourn I have run into two very distinct types of people, those who aspire to power, and those who choose to float down the river on their back and yell, ‘open the drawbridge’.   Some want to make things happen, but far more would rather allow others- to make it happen.  True there is a third class, the “I wonder what is happened” crowd”. 

I believe Paul gave us the key to being “strengthened with all power” in verse nine when he wrote, “we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”.  Now notice the next phrase, “…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects.’  And how do we do this?  “By giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light”.

Note, in the middle of these verses, Paul gives us the good news that when we are “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, ..we attain steadfastness and patience; joyously” (vs. 11). 

I was privileged to sit under the teaching of one Ern Baxter, who was referred to as a ‘preacher for preachers.  A rather large man, when he stood behind the pulpit, he presented a picture of power through his appearance but also through the words that came forth from his inner most being. 

Baxter titled his message, “The King and His Army”; He used the Books of Samuel as his focus.  He started by saying Samuel was a prophet for that day and, if we allow God to guide us through the Books of Samuel, as we read them we will see a parallel between that day and this day.  I would like to share every jot and tittle from that series of messages, for I truly believe that are a perfect picture of our nation today.

But I will use utmost discipline and restrict my reference to his words with one point, that I believe is a perfect example of the contrast we see in the use of power, might and strength.  Samuel was God’s representative.  He took his orders directly from the Throne Room and, in a true sense, relayed those orders to the people.  He was a prophet, a judge, a leader all wrapped into one.  But there was a problem- his sons were not walking in his footsteps and like Eli’s sons were evil.

The people knew that when Samuel was no more they would be under the leadership of the cruel sons. In 1 Samuel 8:5 we read these fateful words: “Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations”.  “Give us a king to judge us!”  Samuel, devastated went to the Lord in prayer, and the Lord responded by saying to him, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them” I Sam. 8:7).

God said, “Give them what they want” but also warn them about what was going to happen when you take the controls out of My hands and put them in the hands of a power grabbing man.  He will take, and he will take, and he will take and he will take.  (I Sam. 8:10-17).   

Note: the conclusion to Samuel’s warning, “Then you will cry out in that day because of your King whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.  Nevertheless, the people did not listen” (vs. 18-19). 

Now take heed: “God gave them what they wanted”.  Let me renege, I will only present this one point:  The people did indeed choose a king for themselves and place ultimate power in his hands.  Samuel gives us a description of that man in 1 Samuel 9:2:  “He was a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he as taller than any of the people”. 

I think God may allow me to continue this tomorrow, so be sure and connect.  We are about to choose a king/president.  Will he be a man after God’s own heart or will he be a head and shoulders man? 

Blessings,

Gramps