“But as for me, I am filled with power—with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.” Micah 3:8 NLT
How did Micah keep himself from the corruption of his culture?
Simply put: he was “filled with power—with the Spirit of the Lord.”
The SOURCE of Power
Whereas the Jewish elite achieved their status and power through the oppression of the poor and the weak (2:1-2, 8-9; 3:1-4, 9-11; 6:10-12; 7:2-4) the source of Micah’s power was the Spirit of the Lord.
While the Old Testament provides only glimpses of the Spirit’s power in individual lives, the New Testament introduces a new era of the Spirit’s activity in the life of every believer (Acts 2:17-18, 2 Tim 1:7).
The RESULT of Power
Those who use their power for selfish gain ultimately find themselves as the objects of God’s displeasure (2:3-5, 10; 6:13-16).
Godly men and women in every generation are called to use whatever power they’ve received from the Lord (whether in the form of wealth, influence, giftedness, or any other emotional, political, social, or spiritual capital) for the benefit of others … on behalf of the Lord.
What is the source of your power?
Are you relying on the Lord, or are you trying to manipulate people, systems and resources to your advantage? Whether you realize it or not, as a person filled with the Spirit of the Lord, you are already in possession of more power than you could ever dream (Acts 1:8).
How do you use the power you have?
God is at work precisely in those places where suffering, violence, poverty and famine strip the dignity of the hopeless, the helpless, and the powerless. What are you doing to leverage whatever power you’ve been given to rescue someone from the worst that culture and nature can do? What are you doing to help restore their dignity?
In a FURNACE, the fire comes from WITHIN. A leader who is a “furnace” has fully internalized his identity; possesses the character and integrity to lead without compromise; is secure in his role; and is self-motivated.
As a pastor, the most frequently asked question (MFAQ) I hear is, “What do you do all week, anyways?”
