“I am more powerful than those authorities!” was a recent comment from a member of a Church to one of my Pastors. I reminded the Pastor that there is One more powerful than that member and He is listening!
I have countless people tell me how they are afraid of their superior, their boss or even their colleague.
On the mountain of transfiguration something happens that I believe changes the life of Peter, James and John forever. They hear the voice of God the Father and then:
“When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.” (Matthew 17 v 6-8)
Can you imagine what that experience did for them, especially in the future? When you have fallen facedown to the ground terrified in the presence of a supernatural God then you can face anything! You can face being flogged and put in prison. You can face being crucified upside down as Peter was or dying by the sword as was James (according to Church tradition) or like John being thrown into boiling oil (according to Tertullian). You can get through any fear because you have experienced the ultimate fear of being in the presence of the ultimate Power.
The answer to all your anxiety and fear of man is found facedown to the ground in the presence of an awesome God. That may sound way too simplistic and I don’t mean to minimise the medical help that people obviously need. But the fact is there is very little time spent there, on the ground, having an experience of a pure and Holy God.
Once you know who you belong to then every other power is less. It isn’t that you become rude or unruly and not submitted to authority. But it means that a) you are free from the fear of it and b) you will not fall into the sin of Uzziah thinking you are more important than you actually are.
You won’t stay there for long, there is no need, just one moment is enough to change you forever. The King will touch you … but that’s for tomorrow.
Missions Paul 