Once we have decided that indeed we are lacking true authority from God, we are left with a decision. We can choose to continue living without authority or we can decide to seek that authority. Authority from God will only be given to those who seek it. Many decide that it is too uncomfortable to make the changes needed to seek authority from God. Some decide that it is too costly to seek authority from God. Some feel that they can just continue to pretend that they have authority from God and eventually they will have authority.
Some however will decide that they have had enough with false authority and will make a decision to seek the authority from God. It is these that God searches for to strengthen for the journey ahead. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV84) It is a decision that accepts that we have not been pursuing the path to authority with God and now we are making a change in direction. It is a decision to find the road that leads to the King and enter His courts and seek His face and find His presence. It is the decision to begin a relationship that seeks to know the King and serve the King with utter passion and abandonment. It is the decision that says “I don’t care what it costs; I will become everything the King wants me to become.” It is deciding to ascend the Hill of God. “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:3–6, NIV84)
It is to those who continually keep seeking God and intimacy with Him that authority is given. It is to those in intimate relationship with God that authority is given. It is to those who value the King more than the power that authority is given. We seek not for the power but for the sake of the King. We seek His face, His heart and His passion. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV84) We make a decision each day to seek. Each day we seek more than the day before. Each day we draw closer to the King and we seek HIM.
Once we have decided to seek the King, we being a journey on the road that I like to call “Seeking Road”. It is the first and only road that leads us to the King and eventually to a place where we walk in true authority. Call it the “First Road, Highway 1″… it is the road to the King and the Kingdom.
This road can be long. I think of long road trips with my kids and the most common question that was heard was “Are we there yet?” Road trips are tiring, exhausting journeys into places we have not gone. They require patience and perseverance as well as directions on how to get to the King. We must constantly fight the spirit of sleepiness and lethargy that seeks to overtake us as we travel. Lethargy could cause us to miss a turn, or worse, get into an accident on the way. Sometimes, when we stop to rest, we encounter people who are returning from our destination. They encourage us that the destination is real and can be reached. They encourage us that the trip will be worth it.
With regards to the journey to seek the King and the authority of His kingdom, spiritual lethargy can be dangerous. We can miss a turn of the road and find our hearts are wounded by the enemy. We can find ourselves missing a road sign and travelling on the wrong road. There is only one road to the King and that is the path He has set before us in His Word. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4–5, NIV84) It is in establishing HIS truth in our lives that we journey daily closer and closer to the King. It is the love of HIS Word that will help us to see where to go on this journey. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV84)
When we are determined that nothing will keep us from finding the King, He will aid us in our journey. “and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” (Proverbs 2:3–11, NIV84)
There are those who have walked this path ahead of us and return with authority. They come to shine light in the darkness and establish the rule and reign of the King. They come to expand the King’s authority because they are now fully under the authority of the King and thus are now fully authorized by the King. They carry authority to build. ” the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.” (2 Corinthians 13:10, NIV84) They carry the authority to proclaim. “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. […] As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:1–8, NIV84)
These are the people who encourage us that the King is real and the Kingdom authority is real. They provide us helpful tips about the road ahead and encouragement to persevere in the journey. The assure us that we can overcome and see the King. “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4–5, NIV84)
The devil will do all he can to sidetrack us in this journey to see the King and get Kingdom authority. One who has authority is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. Stand Strong and Persevere. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NIV84)
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