Power or authority belongs to whoever God gives it. Power comes in various forms. This ranges from spiritual, financial, political, magical, etc. This power is exercised by those to whom it is given. Power or authority is important among mankind.

One known truth about power or authority is that sometimes it can be delegated to other people, sometimes, subordinates. Authority may be delegated but responsibility rests with whoever owns the power. Let me state here that the words, "power" and "authority" shall be used synonymously in this piece.

Please, bear with me.

One thing about power is that sometimes, it intoxicates the power holder or whoever to whom it is delegated. To be power-drunk puts the life of the holder at risk. It endangers his life in many ways. This was the case with a king and his heads of his fifty in the Scriptures.

What happened?

Ahaziah, the king of Isreal was sick and he sent his messengers to go and inquire whether or not he would recover from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, II Kings 1:2.

The action provoked the God of Isreal who was alive always. He sent His Prophet, Elijah, to interrupt the king's messengers with,
"Is it not because there is not a God in Isreal, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?" II King's 1:6.

This in turn angered the king who had power to arrest, detain and even kill. He sent a troop of fifty soldiers with a captain to arrest the man of God. The captain and the soldiers went to carry out the order of the King being sure of the authority behind him, he commanded the Prophet,
"Thou man of God, the king hath said 'come down'" verse 9.

Now, spiritual power met with the king's authority, one overcame, Elijah said, "If I be a man of God, then, let fire come down from heaven and consume thee and thy fifty." verse ten.

And it was so!

The powerful king sent another captain with his fifty to arrest the man of God. This captain was zealous of his assignment more than the first He said to the man of God, Elijah,
" O man of God, thus hath the king said, 'come down quickly.' " verse eleven.

Again, spiritual authority met with a kingly authority, one bowed. Elijah said,

"If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty." verse 12.

And it was so! The captain and his fifty were destroyed.

The king had power to exercise and he did so by delegating it to those who could exercise it right. They went in that power and were destroyed.

Do you know what? The powerful king sent another batch of fifty soldiers and his fifty to arrest Elijah. On sighting the man of God, he forgot the weight of king's authority, instead, he applied wisdom. He said,
"O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and life of these fifty thy servants be precious in thy sight... therefore, let my life now be precious in thy sight" verse 14.

At those words, an angel of God instructed Elijah to follow the captain to the king's palace. The Prophet was able to tell him the heart of God of Isreal. Which one is now stronger? Power or wisdom? No wonder that the book of the Preacher declares,
"Wisdom is better than strength ;
Wisdom is better than weapons of war" Ecclesiates 6:16,18.

The first two captains relied foolishly on the order and weapons with them but lost their weapons, authority and lives. That was all! On the other hand, the third captain humbled himself and applied wisdom to request the coming down of the Prophet. He obeyed the king's order ; he saved his own life and those other soldiers under his command with wisdom.

Therefore, my beloved reader, never fail to apply wisdom in carrying out your daily activities. Do not rely on your power or authority, combine the two to reap great rewards.
NOTE FOR SALVATION
"The Father loveth the Son (Jesus Christ), and hath given all things into his hand.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:35-36.
Stay blessed and prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.