There was a principle that Reverend Anthony did not touch upon in this past Sunday's sermon, but I think it bears noting for our final reflection this week.
When the neighboring kings banded together against King Jehoshaphat, his response was to call for prayer and fasting by the entire community. And God's response to that petition was to send a prophetic word: This is not your fight, it's My fight.
There are instances in Scripture where we find this amazing action of God stepping in and defending the men He has chosen as leaders of His people. And, in some instances, there seems to be an equating of the king with the LORD: that is, there is a synergy between the LORD and those that the LORD has placed in charge of the community.
"A divine sentence is in the lips of the king" (Proverbs 16:10)
"My son, fear thou the LORD and the king" (Proverbs 24:21)
"The fear of the king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sins against his own soul" (Proverbs 20:2)
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will" (Proverbs 21:1)
"Ye man of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men...refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:35-39)
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth" (First Peter 4:11)
"Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord..." (First Corinthians 10)
"Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper" (Second Chronicles 20:20)
So, Bronx Bethany, be careful what you do to your pastors. You might find yourself in a fight with the LORD... and God doesn't lose any battles.
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