The way to gain power and authority
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Zechariah (11) The way to gain power and authority (Zechariah 3:6-8)
< The blessing of living according to the Word >
On November 24, in the 2nd year of King Darius, Zechariah sees eight visions at the same time. Among them, the fourth vision is called “the vision of the high priest Joshua.” After the vision, Christ, represented as the angel of the Lord, spoke to Joshua, saying, “When you do the will of God, you are given power and authority over the kingdom of God.” It says that you will have greater power and authority (verse 7). If you want to have power and authority, do not seek to gain power after being ordained once in a revival meeting, but first try to live according to the Word.
It is also said that when we live according to the Word, we become people of types (verse 8). Those who live according to the Word are those who prepare for the coming of the Messiah. In a large sense, ‘the second coming of the Lord’ is the same as ‘the presence of the Lord’. So, if you want “the presence of the Lord,” there is something you must do. It is ‘hearing the Word and putting it into practice’. Heaven on earth is the place where God's presence is. In the end, when you hear the word and follow it, you will have a life in heaven and a blessed life on this earth.
If you look at history, there is nothing, but how many people hold onto the Word and live a blessed life? Although Lincoln had little education, he became the greatest president of the United States because he tried to live according to the Bible. Spurgeon did not graduate from a formal college, but he became the greatest preacher because he tried to live by the Word. No matter how lacking, if we live centered on the Word, God will be with us and a blessed life will unfold.
< The way to obtain power and authority >
The pastor told the story to the deacon. “Master! When you start a business again, try relying on the Word. That vision is a promise that if you obey the word, you will fill your net with fish.” Hearing this, he came down from the mountain, met the creditors, and started business again. That company is the Monami Ballpoint Pen Company. And he made a lot of money in the ballpoint pen business by writing down the number <153> with his confession of faith on each ballpoint pen.
Even if you fail, you can hold on to the Word again and go out. Just as if you go to a peanut field and pull a peanut stalk, peanuts will pour out, so if you hold on to the Word and pull it, all blessings will roll in. True happiness exists only when we stand on the Word and throw away our will and emotions. Now, try to be like an old eunuch with a crooked back when speaking to you. The eunuch is bending over because he is always bowing his head and listening to the king's words. If you diligently listen to God's word and obey it, you will receive great blessings.
There are many words of God in the Bible. How do you keep all those words? There is a way. It is the first to love God and the second to love our neighbor. The Lord organized all the Old Testament laws into two commandments. The first commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind!” The second commandment is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you want a life full of power and authority, love God and love your neighbor. Love is the fulfillment of the law.