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,
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 Miles Chapel CME Church in Fairfield, Alabama; executive director of the Substance Abuse
Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO); and director
of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human
Development (NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
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