Proverbs 30: 21 For three things the earth is perturbed. Yes, for four it cannot bear up:
22 For a servant when he reigns,
A fool when he is filled with food,
22 For a servant when he reigns,
A fool when he is filled with food,
Proverbs 30: 21- 22. Rebellion or Revolution? When you make certain changes in life the shift automatically brings conflict and upheaval because you are challenging the status quo and upsetting the expected order. Through these situational shifts you become one of “those who turn the world upside down” (Acts 17: 6).
And that may be a good thing, or not. It all depends on whether you’re being rebellious or revolutionary.
David’s transition from servant to king was revolutionary. When David is first introduced in the scriptures, he is little more than a personal servant to his father and 6 older brothers. After David slew the giant Goliath, he was retained to serve King Saul as armorbearer, personal musician, and eventually an officer in the Israeli army under Saul’s command (2 Samuel 16).
Though called and anointed for the throne, David refused to seek his destiny through rebellious/ sinful means. When Saul turned against him, instead of lashing out in vengeance, David humbled himself, ran and hid. He only fought Saul’s forces when he absolutely had to in self-defense. Repeatedly, David refused to use raw power to harm or to order harm against Saul (1 Samuel 24; 1 Samuel 26).
This wasn’t the most expedient path to the throne, but David was determined to honor God’s holy Word rather than indulge his personal ambition.
Because David kept his ambition under submission to God’s will and God way of doing things, his ascension to the throne was REVOLUTIONARY, but it was not rebellious.
On the other hand, David’s son Absalom started a civil war and for a time took the throne by force (2 Samuel 15). He publicly raped his father’s wives and tried to kill his father (2 Samuel 16). Prince Absalom’s coup was the act of an ambitious, angry, and damaged son who foolishly hoped that vengeance and violence would fill the emotional void left by a dad who had been too busy to deal with his son’s issues.
For a time, Absalom had it all. He was “filled” (Proverbs 30: 22b) but the means of his ascension were sinful and dishonorable. His was a REBELLION rather than a godly revolution.
David’s REVOLUTIONARY reign was long and blessed. Unlike any other government in his day, David’s dynasty extended to an eternal line of kings (2 Samuel 7: 12-16). That had not happened before.
Absalom’s REBELLIOUS season of power and prosperity was short, destructive, and cursed. Absalom sowed seeds of damage and distrust which were still bearing poison fruit into the early days of his little brother Solomon’s kingdom.
HOW and WHY you fight will determine whether your rise is a blessed revolution or a cursed rebellion.
If you consider your battles, and inquire of the Lord to decide whether or not you fight---- you’re leading a revolution.
If you attack and try to destroy every perceived enemy----you’re in rebellion.
If you refuse to sin in pursuit of your destiny, if you’d rather have to wait than have to violate God’s commands---- you’re a revolutionary.
If you let the end justify using any sinful means necessary to get what you (think you) deserve------ you’re in rebellion (1 Samuel 15: 23).
If you seek the job because it’s where your anointing has lead you (1 John 2: 27)--- it’s revolution, baby.
If you want the title because it appeals to your ambition---- that’s rebellion.
When you press for greatness, you are going to upset some people and some institutions. You are going to have to fight. You and others will be hurt in the battle that ensue. Automatic. Can’t be avoided. Somebody’s world is going to get turned upside down.
This is true for a person and for the church.
If you’re going to make a difference then you have to make things different. That’s controversial. That’s REVOLUTIONARY.
The only way to completely avoid all conflict is to sit and do nothing, to never pursue our greater callings. In other words, to avoid conflict you have to DIE.
So, every now and then, a person and a church need to do something that is perfectly aligned with God’s will and is also difference-making, earth-shaking------ REVOLUTIONARY.
But watch how you do it. Be mindful of why you’re fighting. Let the Word of God set your rules of engagement.
Down with rebellion.
But get ready for the revolution!
---Anderson T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme@blogspotcom.
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Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
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