Government

Submitting to and praying forthose in authority

by Tim Mathias

Who is really in charge?

Commander in Chief• Jesus Christ• Joab• Obadiah• Elijah, Micaiah

Commander in Mischief• Prince of this world• King David• Queen Jezebel• King Ahab

Who is really in charge?Commander in ChiefJesus Christ

Matthew 28:18-20Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Jude 1:4Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord

Commander in MischiefPrince of this world

John 16:11. . . the prince of this world now stands condemned.

2 Corinthians 4:4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Who is really in charge?Commander in ChiefJoab – Commander of the Troops

But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

Commander in MischiefKing David

1 Chronicles 21Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”

Who is really in charge?Commander in ChiefJoab – Commander of the Troops

…so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David . . . But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.

Commander in MischiefKing David

The king’s word, however, overruled Joab;

Who is really in charge?Commander in ChiefObadiah – Palace Administrator

1 Kings 18Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.

…Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.

Commander in MischiefQueen Jezebel

While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets…

Who is really in charge?1 Kings 19 – Elijah flees to Horeb

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

“I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

“I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

Then a voice said to him,“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Who is really in charge?Commander in ChiefMicaiah – True Prophet

Commander in MischiefKing Ahab and 400 false prophets

1 Kings 22“Attack Ramoth Gilead and be

victorious,” they said, “for the LORD will give it into the king’s

hand.”

The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell

me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”

“Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the LORD will give it

into the king’s hand.”

“I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a

shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let

each one go home in peace.’”

How to Make a DifferencePray to our Father in heaven in the name of Jesus Christ

Building Bridges: Is There Hope For North Korea? by David Alton and Rob Chidley (24th April 2013)

Learn more:Register at www.davidalton.net

Take action:Write to your MP to urge action on:• Food aid for North Korea• The DPRK’s human rights abuses• Ending the Korean War in a peace treaty• A renewed Helsinki-style engagement with North Korea

Get in touch with:Dr Marzuki DarusmanUnited Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea:marzukidarusman@yahoo.com