When The Godly Are In Authority The People Rejoice

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
Proverbs 29:2 (NLT)

What will you think of when you see the word “power” or “authority”? Is it positive or negative? I love to watch cartoons especially those with super heroes. The story lines are basically the same. There are some villains seeking to take over the world and the super heroes appear to save the day.

Perhaps such ideas had been implanted in our minds that it is evil to want to conquer the world and by extension whenever we think of the word “power” or “authority”, we think of those who had abused them and used their powers to oppress others. So, our subconscious could be telling us that power and authority is bad. Therefore we should not seek it or be “power-hungry”. Have you heard of the term “power corrupts”?

Yet, God has a different view on this issue. God has no problem giving people power and authority as long as they are the right people. In God’s mind the right people are the godly people. Those who believed in him, obey and trust him. So, if you are a believing christian (as opposed to religious christian), God wants you to have power and authority in this world. Why? So that you can do his will. You will be able to make this world a better place. Then you can direct resources to those who need them most. You can stop wars and prevent genocide. You can set free those who are in bondage and oppressed. You need resources and authority to do the above.

I like the phase I heard from Spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility”. I believe this applies to christians as well. As christian, we have Mark 11:24.

24Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
(King James Version)

Don’t you agree that having the privilege of getting whatever you desire when you pray is great power? Since God has given you such a great power, will he not expect you to use it to bless others as well? So we should use this power to bless others for the glory of our God.

“How shall I start?”

You can start from your own needs because you can identify with them most clearly.

Supposed you are so poor now that you have nothing to eat. You are suffering hunger right now. You can pray for God to provide sufficient food for you and family. That is the right thing to do. However, the responsible thing to do is to pray for God to make you so rich that you are not only able to provide food for your own family but also food for 100 other families who are suffering hunger as you are suffering right now. Once you are able to provide for 100 families, pray for more riches to provide for 1,000 families and repeat the process. Then you will be in position to have great power to provide for millions of families throughout the world. So, do you think power is good or bad?

Likewise, you may be very sick right now. The doctors might have told you that you disease has reached its terminal stage and there is no cure. It is right for you to pray healing to your own body. However, the responsible thing to do is to pray for God to give you the power to extend his healing to other sick people. In doing so, you have turned a curse into a blessing.

Please note that there can never be a power vacuum. Someone has to be in charge. This person can either be a godly or a wicked person. Proverbs 29:2 tells us the result when the godly and the wicked is in charge.

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
Proverbs 29:2 (NLT)
The people rejoice when the godly are in authority because the godly have the wisdom of God to bring justice, peace and prosperity to them. However, if the godly people refused to be in power, it is the equivalent of handing power to the wicked. What will happen when the wicked is in charge? The people will suffer. The wicked will oppress the people. I am sure you can see a lot of examples in this world. Therefore it is irresponsible for the godly to reject power, when given to them.

One day, God could direct you to move to a position of power like running for a political office or applying for a high position. When he does, it is important for you to obey because your obedience will make a difference to the lives of many people. Whether they have a future of prosperity or poverty is dependent on the leadership they receive. Should you disobey, you may be opening the door for the wicked to take over and cause may people to suffer.

If you are worried that you may not have what it takes to be in those positions, all you need to do is to trust him. Seek him read the Word, meditate and confess them. As long as you continue to trust in and rely on God, there is nothing you cannot achieve.