Introduction: It is amazing how quickly our perspective of authority changes after we become parents. As children we often saw authority as confining, sometimes even arbitrary, or heavy handed. We sought to avoid or escape its full meaning, looking for an easier way. Most of us never realized these commands had purposes and goals. Good parents make rules to keep us safe and help us grow.
When we become parents all this changes. Suddenly as we hold our own infant and look into his eyes, we realize it now falls to us as it did to our parents before us. We must protect and guide this wonderful new person --- first from the dangers of infancy and later by giving them the guidance they need to become their best. Parents see the flaws in their child's character, the tendencies toward laziness, a bad temper or pride and use discipline to remove them. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” (Pr. 22:15; 29:15).
When we become parents all this changes. Suddenly as we hold our own infant and look into his eyes, we realize it now falls to us as it did to our parents before us. We must protect and guide this wonderful new person --- first from the dangers of infancy and later by giving them the guidance they need to become their best. Parents see the flaws in their child's character, the tendencies toward laziness, a bad temper or pride and use discipline to remove them. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” (Pr. 22:15; 29:15).
Perhaps for the first time, it dawns on us that life is like a great relay race. Our parents were guiding and directing us to pursue the best life could offer. They sought to give us a head start and the tools necessary for a full and successful life. We now hold the equivalent of the baton our parents passed to us. We use our authority to prepare our own child for the next leg, hoping to give him more than we had and start him as far ahead as possible.
It begins with boundaries. We want our children independent, but safe, free to explore, but directed, using their own initiative but within safe boundaries. We use commands to build fences of safety. Parenting changes everything about how we understand authority. We finally realize the truth of what had always been a frustrating proverb: “It’s for your own good.”
This is exactly what God seeks for us and why he gave us Scripture. As our heavenly father, God wants to keep us alive and help us succeed. All that he “commanded us to do,” and “to fear” is “for our good always,” in order that He can “preserve us alive.” (Deut. 6:24).
Our use of authority imitates God’s. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things ... “ (Mt. 7:11) God sees his children exactly as we see ours. He knows “it is not in man to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23), so he leads us and gives us the necessary guidance so we can find our way. He bids us to “ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls” (Jer. 6:16). He too seeks to build fences of safety (for narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads unto life- Mt. 7:14), he wants us to expand our horizons (give diligence to present thyself approved unto God - 2Tim. 2:15), so he can reward and bless us.
We know our children don’t always see danger so we want them to trust and obey us. This is exactly what God asks of his children. With stumbling blocks, triggered traps, temptations, and a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” we face grave dangers and need skills only God can give. He wants to protect us, but knows it can only happen when we “trust in the LORD with all your heart,” and “lean not on your own understanding.” We must allow him to “direct your paths,” and “be not wise in your own eyes” (Pr 3:5-7). The writer of the 119th Psalm captured his own “head start” in life’s race.
Conclusion. Truly the nature and value of authority is in the eyes of the beholder. While some see God’s authority as confining and unpleasant, others see his words as sweet. Regardless of how we saw authority as a child, as a parent we see its value and importance. Since our authority brings them protection, guidance, instruction, growth, success and wisdom, we ought to see that we will gain the same things when we respect God’s authority.
When we see this, we are humbled. “O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isa. 64:8) All is possible when we submit for “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lam. 3:27). Jesus wants us to submit to his authority for our own good. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mt. 11:29).
It begins with boundaries. We want our children independent, but safe, free to explore, but directed, using their own initiative but within safe boundaries. We use commands to build fences of safety. Parenting changes everything about how we understand authority. We finally realize the truth of what had always been a frustrating proverb: “It’s for your own good.”
This is exactly what God seeks for us and why he gave us Scripture. As our heavenly father, God wants to keep us alive and help us succeed. All that he “commanded us to do,” and “to fear” is “for our good always,” in order that He can “preserve us alive.” (Deut. 6:24).
Our use of authority imitates God’s. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things ... “ (Mt. 7:11) God sees his children exactly as we see ours. He knows “it is not in man to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23), so he leads us and gives us the necessary guidance so we can find our way. He bids us to “ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls” (Jer. 6:16). He too seeks to build fences of safety (for narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads unto life- Mt. 7:14), he wants us to expand our horizons (give diligence to present thyself approved unto God - 2Tim. 2:15), so he can reward and bless us.
We know our children don’t always see danger so we want them to trust and obey us. This is exactly what God asks of his children. With stumbling blocks, triggered traps, temptations, and a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” we face grave dangers and need skills only God can give. He wants to protect us, but knows it can only happen when we “trust in the LORD with all your heart,” and “lean not on your own understanding.” We must allow him to “direct your paths,” and “be not wise in your own eyes” (Pr 3:5-7). The writer of the 119th Psalm captured his own “head start” in life’s race.
- I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Ps. 119:99-105)
Conclusion. Truly the nature and value of authority is in the eyes of the beholder. While some see God’s authority as confining and unpleasant, others see his words as sweet. Regardless of how we saw authority as a child, as a parent we see its value and importance. Since our authority brings them protection, guidance, instruction, growth, success and wisdom, we ought to see that we will gain the same things when we respect God’s authority.
When we see this, we are humbled. “O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isa. 64:8) All is possible when we submit for “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lam. 3:27). Jesus wants us to submit to his authority for our own good. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mt. 11:29).
- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.” (Mt. 7:24)