Scripture Reading : Revelation 12:7-11


A popular chorus says “No power battles with the Lord! No power battles with the Lord! Any power battling with the Lord volunteers to die!” Today, we reflect on recent moves by individuals who tend to be opposed to God in their actions and inactions. This reflection is therefore a timely warning to humanity, that even if our inclination to the world may have made our human mind perceive God as inactive and not in charge any longer, don’t forget that nobody fights God, no man! No authority! Nor angel, and survives it! Dear child of God, watch out, if you are in any position of authority and by divine design, you have a leadership role to play, be mindful of this truth revealed by William Gaddis, thus, “ Power doesn’t corrupt people, people corrupt power. ” The High Priest in Acts 5:28 manifested the corruption of power by the comment made to Peter and the other apostles, “ We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man. ” Peter clearly asserted the superiority of God’s order to that of man even to that of the High Priest who was highly respected in the society thus, “ ………We must obey God, not men. ” ( Acts 5:29 ) Beloved in Christ, the truth is that power and authority is given to man by God. It should not be abused. It should not be used to attack God or His creatures.

Nebuchadnezzar never got it right as one who God blessed with authority. Here is the sad account the Bible gave about him: “The Supreme God made your father Nebuchadnezzar a great King and gave him dignity and majesty. He was so great that people of all nations, races, and languages were afraid of him and trembled. If he wanted to kill someone, he did; if he wanted to keep someone alive, he did. He honoured or disgraced anyone he wanted to. But because he became proud, stubborn and cruel, he was removed from his royal throne and lost his place of honour. He was driven away from human society, and his mind became like that of an animal. He lived with wild donkeys, ate grass like an ox, and slept in the open air with nothing to protect him from the dew.
Finally he admitted that the Supreme God controls all human kingdoms and can gives them to anyone he chooses.” ( Daniel 5:18-21 ) One may be saying, thank God, I am not a President, a Governor, a King, or a Prime Minister; but the attitude of some believers in the church amounts to fighting with God. Profiteering in doing the work of God, blackmailing and corrupting the ministers of God, leadership and position tussles and conflicts in the church, oppression of the helpless and the defenseless, including other vices, are ways men tend to fight with God. In some cases, our interests and stakes, conflict with that of God and when we tenaciously hold unto our own, it could stand in opposition of God’s will. Some believers are given to creating divisions and rancor among the body of Christ; enacting obnoxious and morally debased laws and policies using their authority to favour only those who appeal to their personal interests. One of the remarkable things about David was that, God lavished a lot of power and authority on him, such that was capable of making him proud, cruel and stubborn, but he rather understood the great saying, “ To whom much is given, much is expected. ” He appreciated the position that God gave to him by being very submissive to God (ALWAYS CONSULTING GOD BEFORE CARRYING OUT ANY LEADERSHIP ROLE). One great secret we must learn today is that great leaders who become very submissive to God are always exalted.
They become submissive because they are fully aware that God lifted them up. Beloved in Christ, we can learn from the Master Jesus in Phil. 2:8 which says, “ He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death – his death on the cross.” For this reason, God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name .”
Prayer Points: 1. Thank God for another new day.
2. Pray to have the attitude of Christ as pointed out by Philippians 2:5-6 . (Take seriously)
3. Pray for all leaders in the whole world especially those who have forgotten that God gave them the position.
Exercise: Sit back for five minutes and reflect over your role as a leader. Are you working according to the mind of God?

Memory Verse : Luke 1:52 .